TNF controls a speed-accuracy tradeoff in the cell death decision to restrict viral spread

Abstract

Controlled cell death can be an efficient anti-viral strategy, but also leads to tissue damage and needs to be balanced. Oyler-Yaniv et al. combine mathematical modelling and microscopy to show that exposure to TNF in response to viral infection causes cells to tune their speed-vs-accuracy trade-off in cell death decision to limit HSV-1 spread.