During viral infections, significant numbers of T cells are activated in a T cell receptor-independent and cytokine-dependent manner, a phenomenon referred to as “bystander activation.” Cytokines, including type I interferons, interleukin-18, and interleukin-15, are the most important factors that induce bystander activation of T cells, each of which plays a somewhat different role. The gene discussed is IL15; the disease is viral infectious disease.