What happens when a human cell is activated by interferon?
What happens when a human cell is activated by interferon?
What happens when a human cell is activated by interferon?
The interferons are a family of cytokine mediators critically involved in alerting the cellular immune system to viral infection of host cells. Interferons interact with specific cellular receptors, which promote production of second messengers ultimately leading to expression of antiviral and immune modulatory genes.
What is the effect of interferons?
Interferons (IFNs) are potent pleiotropic cytokines that broadly alter cellular functions in response to viral and other infections. These alterations include changes in protein synthesis, proliferation, membrane composition, and the nutritional microenvironment.
Where are interferons found in the body?
Interferons are a family of naturally-occurring proteins that are made and secreted by cells of the immune system (for example, white blood cells, natural killer cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells).
Do humans have interferon?
Interferons. Two types of human interferon, interferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b, have been produced by recombinant DNA techniques and marketed for cancer chemotherapy. Each agent is a protein chain of 165 amino acids, differing from each other only at a single amino acid residue.
What are interferons used for?
Interferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat hepatitis B and C, lymphoma (lymph node cancer), malignant melanoma (skin cancer), genital warts, hairy cell leukemia (blood cell cancer), and Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-related tumor). Interferons are substances produced by cells in the body to help fight infections and tumors.
What is human interferon?
Human interferon alpha (hIFN ) is a wide biological activity cytokine that is used in hepatitis and cancer treatments. It regulates many genes that are involved in antiviral and antiproliferative activities.
How is interferon made?
Interferons are formed when most cells are treated with viruses or double-stranded RNA (to form IFN-alpha or beta, or both) or when lymphoid cells are treated with mitogens or the appropriate antigen (to form IFN-gamma).
How is interferon taken?
Interferon is usually given by injection underneath the skin of the thigh or belly. The drug may also be given through a drip. In a 2013 study , interferon was given orally to see whether this would be effective in preventing chest infections.