What is IFN-alpha produced by?
IFN-alpha is produced in the leukocytes infected with virus, while IFN-beta is from fibroblasts infected with virus. IFN-gamma is induced by the stimulation of sensitized lymphocytes with antigen or non-sensitized lymphocytes with mitogens.
Does the body produce interferon?
interferon, any of several related proteins that are produced by the body’s cells as a defensive response to viruses. They are important modulators of the immune response.
How is IFN 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).
Where does interferon come from?
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.
What does IFN-alpha do?
IFN-α is an antiviral cytokine of the type I IFN innate immune response of most cell types. IFN-α exhibits anti-viral activity via the induction of protective genes that inhibit viral replication and impede viral dissemination.
Who discovered interferon?
Interferon was discovered by Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindenmann in 1957. It was originally thought that interferon could be used as a general anti-viral agent and in anti-cancer therapy.
What stimulates interferon production?
Abstract. Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by a variety of cells in the inflammatory response to infections. Their production is triggered by the immune system in response to pathogens or cytokines.
How is IFN gamma produced?
IFNγ is produced predominantly by natural killer cells (NK) and natural killer T cells (NKT) as part of the innate immune response, and by CD4 Th1 and CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector T cells once antigen-specific immunity develops as part of the adaptive immune response.
Who discovered interleukin?
Morgan DA, Ruscetti FW, Gallo R (1976). Selective in vitro growth of T lymphocytes from normal human bone marrows. Science. 193(4257):1007–8.