IFIH1 and infection: This vulnerability to infection is possibly due to the pseudogenisation of immune system genes in the pangolin genome, including Interferon Epsilon (IFNE)1, Interferon-Induced with Helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1, also known as MDA5, a cytoplasmic RNA sensor that helps initiates the innate immune response to viral infection)5, cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS)6, Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING, the interaction partner of cGAS)6, Toll-Like Receptor 5 (TLR5)7, and also likely Toll-Like Receptor 11 (TLR11)7.