PLoS Biology: Host Defense against Viral Infection Involves Interferon Mediated Down-Regulation of Sterol Biosynthesis

This study shows a very important link between infection and cholesterol metabolism  mediated by negative regulation of the complete sterol pathway by viral infection or treatment with interferon beta or interferon gamma Decreased sterol metabolism in turn exerted antiviral effects - However inhibition of viral growth was  not due to cholesterol deprivation, but to a pathway involving a proximal mevalonate-prenylation step. farnesyl diphosphate synthase knockdown also inhibited viral replication KEGG pathway :
 
Risk factors: Alzheimer's :  Kegg pathways Alzheimer's (including sterol pathways )