What is interferon response?

Interferons (IFNs, /ˌɪntərˈfɪərɒn/) 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.

What are the interferon pathways?

The interferon (IFN) pathway plays a critical role in the human immune response. One of the many responses to the viral invasion is the induction of the pleiotropic cytokines, interferon (IFN). Induction of IFN gene expression leads to increased cellular resistance to viral infection and may also affect cell growth.

What does type 1 interferon do?

Within the immunological milieu, Type I interferons (IFN-I) play a central role in driving an antiviral state in non-immune cells as well as orchestrating antiviral immune responses through: (i) inhibiting viral replication in infected cells in the innate stage of the immune response; (ii) activating and enhancing …

How does interferon provide immunity?

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.

How do interferons protect us?

Interferons protect non-infected cells from further viral infections by creating cytokine barriers. They also inhibit cellular proliferation and modulate the immune system of the organism.

How do you increase interferon response?

Hence, ingestion of spirulina or of spirulina extracts enriched in PCB may have potential for boosting type 1 interferon response in the context of RNA virus infection. Oral administration of a cold-water spirulina extract rich in phycocyanin has been found to decrease mortality in influenza-infected mice.

What boosts interferon?

Phase 2-inductive nutraceuticals – such as ferulic acid, lipoic acid, or sulforaphane – are known to promote induction of HO-1, and hence may have some utility for boosting type 1 interferon response.

What is the role of interferon in the innate immune response?

Interferons were first described as an antiviral factor that interferes with viral replication in mammalian cells (10). They are secreted from infected cells and activate innate immune response that promotes not only cytokine production but also natural killer cell functions and antigen presentation (11, 12).

What is the role of Type I interferons?

Type I interferons (IFN-I) have long been heralded as key contributors to effective antiviral responses. More widely understood in the context of acute viral infection, the role of this pleiotropic cytokine has been characterized as triggering antiviral states in cells and potentiating adaptive immune responses.

What are the side effects of high interferon levels?

Common side effects of interferons fever malaise fatigue muscle pains High levels of interferons can cause kidney, liver, bone marrow and heart toxicity. VIRAL DEFENSES AGAINST THE NON-SPECIFIC AND SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEMS

How many papers have been published on interferon?

Nearly two thousand papers related to interferon are published each year, which illustrates the importance placed by researchers on the study of interferon. This review focuses on recent advances in the study of interferon, particularly in the areas of its mechanism of anti- cancer effect and signal transduction.

Which is better Umifenovir or interferon alfa-2b?

The time to viral clearance in the upper respiratory tract and reduction in systemic inflammation was faster in the interferon alfa-2b groups than in the umifenovir only group.