In vivo studies of different viral encephalitis models and in vitro exposure of primary microglia and mouse and human microglial cell lines to TLR3 ligand poly(I:C) or TMEV and cGAS ligand cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) or HSV-1 showed the expression of several cytokines and chemokines including IFN-β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, CCL2, CCL5, and IL-6.37,76–81 These proinflammatory molecules induce neuronal death by causing direct and indirect neurotoxicity. This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and viral encephalitis.