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interferon

Also known as IFN, interferons

Interferons (IFNs, ) are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten their anti-viral defenses.

AI overview

Interferons are proteins that your body's cells produce and release when they detect a virus, acting as a chemical alarm system. Once released, these proteins warn nearby cells to boost their defenses against the virus, helping your body fight off the infection.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Protein family.Symbol: IL28A
Protein family.Name: Interferon type III (λ)
Protein family.image: Image:1HIG Interferon-Gamma01.png
Protein family.caption: The three-dimensional structure of human interferon gamma ()
Protein family.Pfam: PF15177
Protein family.InterPro: IPR029177
Protein family.SMART: SM00076
Protein family.Prosite: PDOC00225
Protein family.SCOP: d1d9ca_
Protein family.CATH: 3og6A00
Protein family.CDD: cd00095

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

251,453 papers

Interferon.ReviewSurgery, gynecology & obstetrics · 1981Moore GE
Interferon receptors.ReviewImmunology today · 1988Langer JA, Pestka SDOI: 10.1016/0167-5699(88)91241-8
Interferon--present and future prospects.ReviewCritical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences · 1984Richtsmeier WJDOI: 10.3109/10408368409165770
Interferon in pregnancy.ReviewJournal of developmental physiology · 1989Chard T
[Interferon].ReviewRivista dell'Istituto sieroterapico italiano · 1966Oddo FG
The interferon system: an overview.ReviewEuropean journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society · 2002De Andrea M, Ravera R, Gioia D et al.DOI: 10.1053/ejpn.2002.0573
Interferon and multiple myeloma.ReviewMedical oncology (Northwood, London, England) · 1995Lauta VMDOI: 10.1007/BF01571411
Interferon and ocular virus disease.ReviewIndian journal of ophthalmology · 1984Raju VK

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Image: 1RH2 Recombinant Human Interferon-Alpha 2b-01.png

Show 1 more fact

name: interferons

Sources (6)

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~24 min read

Article

15 sections

Contents

Types of interferon
Function
Induction of interferons
Downstream signaling
Viral resistance to interferons
Coronavirus response
Interferon therapy
Diseases
Drug formulations
History
Human interferons
Teleost fish interferons
References
Further reading
External links

IFNs belong to the large class of proteins known as cytokines, molecules used for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that help eradicate pathogens. Interferons are named for their ability to "interfere" with viral replication by protecting cells from virus infections. However, virus-encoded genetic elements have the ability to antagonize the IFN response, contributing to viral pathogenesis and viral diseases. IFNs also have various other functions: they activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages, and they increase host defenses by up-regulating antigen presentation by virtue of increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Certain symptoms of infections, such as fever, muscle pain and "flu-like symptoms", are also caused by the production of IFNs and other cytokines.