IFNB1 and infection: Specifically, IFN-α1 and -α2 expression are highly induced in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following infection with several viruses (Loseke et al, 2003), and various types of viruses induce IFN-β expression in macrophages as well as epithelial cells and fibroblasts (Oshiumi et al, 2010).