However, when associated with the full-length L protein, the ability of the OTU domain to suppress the type I IFN-mediated immune response seems to be reduced [155,156,157] and a study using a CCHFV VLP system with a protease-negative OTU mutant in immunocompetent cells revealed that IFN induction was not impacted upon infection [166], adding more complexity to the understanding of the contribution of the OTU domain in the antiviral response. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and infection.