In the early time points of the infection, OPN expression was suggested to protect against the viral spread in the CNS by negatively controlling the type I IFN-sensitive, Caspase 1-dependent inflammasome, while promoting an alternative Caspase 8-associated pathway to control the apoptosis of infected cells during WNV Eg101 infection in the CNS [48]. The gene discussed is CASP8; the disease is infection.