Two major developments in recent years renewed interest in IFNα as a therapeutic for HIV-1 infection: (1) the discovery of antiretroviral restriction factors, most of which are induced by IFNα [7]; and (2) the improved prospects in achieving functional HIV-1 cure, which may be advanced through IFNα-based therapies [8,9]. The gene discussed is IFNA17; the disease is HIV-1 infection.