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Interferon tau is a Type I interferon made of a single chain of amino acids. IFN-τ was first discovered in ruminants as the signal for the maternal recognition of pregnancy and originally named ovine trophoblast protein-1. It has many physiological functions in the mammalian uterus, and also has anti-inflammatory effect that aids in the protection of the semi-allogeneic conceptus trophectoderm from the maternal immune system.
IFN-τ genes have only been found in ruminants that belong to the Artidactyla order, and multiple polymorphisms and several variants of IFN-τ have been identified. Although IFN-τ has been shown not to be produced in humans, both human and mouse cells respond to its effects. IFN-τ binds to the same IFN receptors as IFN-α and induces intracellular signalling through STAT1, STAT2, and Tyk2. This leads to the production of antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10.