Interferons (IFN) are a family of cytokines with potent antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties, classified based on their binding specificity to cell surface receptors . Human IFNA2 was originally cloned in the early ‘80s and now more than a dozen closely related IFN alpha subtypes have been identified in both the human and mouse genome, each sharing about 80% amino acid (aa) sequence homology . Structurally, type I IFNs belong to the class of five helical bundle cytokines, with the IFNA subtypes containing 2 conserved disulfide bonds . There is not a mouse homolog for IFNA17, but mature human IFNA17 shares 58% aa sequence identity with chimpanzee IFNA17. The type I IFNs bind to the interferon alpha receptor (IFNAR), which consists of two subunits: IFNAR1 (alpha -subunit) and IFNAR2 (beta -subunit) . Individual IFNA subtypes are known to display unique efficacies to viral protection . IFNA17 has been shown to be potent against HIV-1 activity . Human IFNA17 is the only IFNA subtype identified with antiviral activity but a reduced ability to activate NK cells . A mutation in IFNA17, Ile184Arg, is associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer.