Which cytokine induces antiviral state via STAT1/STAT2?
Type-I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) are rapidly induced during viral infection and act in both autocrine and paracrine fashion. Binding to the IFNAR receptor activates STAT1/STAT2 and IRF9, which induce hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes that establish an antiviral state, inhibit viral replication and enhance antigen presentation. This response is a cornerstone of innate antiviral immunity.
Ref: NCERT Biology Class 11–12 Alberts et al Molecular Biology of the Cell Lodish et al, Molecular Cell Biology Cooper & Hausman, The Cell Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology (for immunology sections)