IFNA1 (interferon alpha 1) is a type I interferon that plays a crucial role in antiviral immune responses and inflammatory signaling pathways. The protein functions as a key cytokine in the innate immune system, with antiviral activity demonstrated against influenza virus and endomyocarditis virus infections 1. IFNA1 signals through the IFNAR1 receptor, and genetic polymorphisms in both genes influence disease susceptibility and viral load in infections such as hepatitis B virus, where IFNA1 (-2C→T) polymorphism is associated with protection against chr9 infection 2. The gene also shows disease relevance in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, where specific polymorphisms (rs1332190) affect susceptibility 3. In COVID-19, elevated IFNA1 levels are associated with persistent hyperinflammation and severe pneumonia, showing an inverse correlation with IL12p40 4, while paradoxically, severe COVID-19 patients exhibit impaired type I interferon responses 5. In neurological contexts, IFNA1 can cause neurotoxicity through cerebral endothelial cells via IFNAR signaling, contributing to microvascular disease in interferonopathies like Aicardi-Goutières syndrome 6. The gene's expression is also modulated during gut immune responses involving commensal bacteria 7.