Interferon, a popular term in the health sciences for being one of the proteins that act in various pathophysiological processes of the body. At The Wan Shi Tong Library we will show you everything you need to know about Interferon.
Interferons are a group of proteins that are going to be present when the body responds to a pathogen that can be a virus, bacteria, parasites and tumor cells. These proteins are called Interferon for their ability to interfere with the replication of a viral infection.
Among its main functions we can mention:
- These have the ability to activate cells of the immune system such as NK lymphocytes, and macrophages.
- They have the ability to be antigen presenters.
- This belonging to the group of cytokines can produce symptoms such as fever and muscle pain.
The Interferon Therapeutically
These are synthesized in the laboratory to be used as a therapeutic form in various diseases, such as:
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Malignant hematological tumors.
- Leukemias and lymphomas.
- Recurrent melanomas
History
Interferons were discovered by Isaac and Leidenmann in 1957, they observed that before an infection by a virus there were substances that interfere with its replication, and these called it interferon.
The most studied interferons are alpha and beta, since they control the innate immune response against viral infections by inducing the production of antiviral proteins.