What is interferon and its function?

Interferons are proteins that are part of your natural defenses. They tell your immune system that germs or cancer cells are in your body. And they trigger killer immune cells to fight those invaders. Interferons got their name because they “interfere” with viruses and keep them from multiplying.

What do interferons do to viruses?

Interferon is secreted by cells in response to stimulation by a virus or other foreign substance, but it does not directly inhibit the virus’s multiplication. Rather, it stimulates the infected cells and those nearby to produce proteins that prevent the virus from replicating within them.

What is the action of interferon?

Interferons are proteins that can induce a nonspecific resistance to viral infection by several mechanisms, including the inhibition of protein synthesis, inactivation of viral RNA, and enhancement of phagocytic and cytotoxic mechanisms.

What are the three types of interferon?

There are three types of interferons (IFN), alpha, beta and gamma. IFN-alpha is produced in the leukocytes infected with virus, while IFN-beta is from fibroblasts infected with virus.

What cells secrete interferons?

Type I interferon (IFN-alpha and IFN-beta) is secreted by virus-infected cells while type II, immune or gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is mainly secreted by T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages.

How do interferons protect against infection in healthy cells?

How do interferons protect against infection in healthy cells? -Interferons block viral reproduction in healthy cells through the production of antiviral proteins.

What cells produce interferons?

How interferons are produced?

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).

What is the source of interferon?

Cellular sources of IFN-I during virus infections During skin and mucosal infections, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, tissue resident macrophages and DCs secrete IFN-I and restrict viral replication. In infected organs, IFN-I is produced by parenchymal cells, fibroblasts, tissue resident macrophages and DCs.

What part of the body makes interferon?

In infected organs, IFN-I is produced by parenchymal cells, fibroblasts, tissue resident macrophages and DCs. In draining lymph nodes, subcapsular sinus macrophages have a major role in the secretion of IFN-I and restriction of viral spread.

Where is interferon produced in the body?

In general, type I interferons are produced when the body recognizes a virus that has invaded it. They are produced by fibroblasts and monocytes. However, the production of type I IFN-α is inhibited by another cytokine known as Interleukin-10.

Where are interferons produced?

Cellular sources of IFN-I during virus infections In infected organs, IFN-I is produced by parenchymal cells, fibroblasts, tissue resident macrophages and DCs. In draining lymph nodes, subcapsular sinus macrophages have a major role in the secretion of IFN-I and restriction of viral spread.