IFNG and infection: Although IFN-γ has been shown to be important in control of MCMV virus infection at early time points [41], Ly49H-deficient NK cells are equally capable of producing IFN-γ as wt NK cells within the initial 38 hours of MCMV infection, suggesting that m157 recognition by Ly49H+ NK cells is not required for IFN-γ production early in infection [39], [42].