This was confirmed by infection experiments with IRF-1−/−NesCre+/−IFNARfl/fl mice which succumbed to infection significantly earlier than IRF-1+/− NesCre+/−IFNARfl/fl mice, indicating essential antiviral responses by IRF-1 that are overlooked due to the strong effects of type I IFN. The gene discussed is IRF1; the disease is infection.