The recognition of HIV ssRNA by TLR7 in pDCs activates the MYD88 pathway, stimulating IRF7 and IFN-α secretion (Table 5).112 Disease progression is, however, associated with a decrease in pDCs and a loss of their ability to produce IFN-α.112 While IFN-α controls virus spread, its continuous release can trigger immunosuppressive pathways, immunopathogenesis, and immunodeficient syndromes. Here, IFNA1 is linked to immunodeficiency disease.