This painting vividly illustrates the process of Type 1 interferon signaling with the metaphor of an aurora. Type 1 interferons, depicted as shimmering lights akin to an aurora, are released from cells infected with a virus. These molecules then bind to interferon receptors on the membrane of neighboring, non-infected cells (shown in the top left), triggering the production of antiviral proteins depicted in orange.
These proteins act as vigilant defenders within the cell, intercepting and breaking down any viral particles that attempt to invade. This artwork brings to life the intricate immune response mechanism in a way that is both visually captivating and easy to grasp, emphasizing the crucial role of Type 1 interferons in protecting our cells from viral threats.
