Secreted by leukocytes, respectively fibroblasts, IFNα IFNβ together regulate antiviral immunity, cell proliferation and anti-tumor effects. In viral infection signalling pathway, either of IFNα or β binds to IFN receptor (IFNAR), composed of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2, immediately followed by the phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT4 and IFN target genes. During the initial phase of viral infection in NK cells, STAT1 activation is replaced by the activation of STAT4.