IRF7 and viral infectious disease: − Innate immune receptor; plays a major role in sensing viral infection and in activating of a cascade of antiviral responses including the induction of IFN-Is and proinflammatory cytokines − Critical role in sensing CoVs (and other viruses) and the activation of ISGs − Regulates IRF7/3 via the RIG-I => IRF7/3 signaling pathway