Viral proteases have also been reported to catalyze the direct hydrolysis of the main chain of interferon regulatory factors,95, 96, 97 including that of IRF3 by SARS-CoV-2 PLpro,18 further highlighting the importance of modulating (post-translationally modified) interferon regulatory factors such as IRF3 during viral infections. Here, IRF3 is linked to viral infectious disease.