In the MX2 CRISPR cell line, the reduction of viral infection observed after IFNα treatment (and transfection with CTRL siRNA) was substantially reduced when compared to the CTRL CRISPR cells (4.3- versus 12.4-fold reduction, Fig 5A and 5B; note the absence of MX2 in the IFN-treated cells in Fig 5B according to immunoblot analysis). Here, IFNA2 is linked to viral infectious disease.