Experimental data suggests that the IL1 family plays a crucial role in MCMV (murine CMV infection) pathogenesis and in the reactivation of a latent virus in adult mice [57], and that IL1 signaling in the CNS elicits responses which can either exacerbate or inhibit neuronal cell apoptosis in neonatal and adult immuno-competent mice [59]. Here, IL1A is linked to cytomegalovirus infection.