News tagged with interferon
Genetic variation among patients with pulmonary fibrosis associated with improved survival
Variation in the gene MUC5B among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was associated with improved survival, according to a study published online by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with i ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
4 hours ago |
not rated yet |
0
Pharmaceutical advances offer new options for health outcomes
Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores pharmaceutical advances for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and hepatitis C.
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
May 20, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
What is the role of double-stranded RNA in antiviral host defense systems?
Animals, insects, and plants use a variety of sensing mechanisms to detect invading pathogens such as viruses. One complex and effective antiviral defense system they share is based on recognition of double-stranded ...
Medical research
May 14, 2013 |
4 / 5 (1) |
0
Treatment for novel coronavirus shows promise in early lab tests
National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists studying an emerging coronavirus have found that a combination of two licensed antiviral drugs, ribavirin and interferon-alpha 2b, can stop the virus from replicating ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Apr 18, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
New approaches to maximize the antitumor activity of interferon
Interferons have antitumor activity and have been used to treat a variety of malignancies, including colorectal and ovarian cancers. However, their effectiveness varies. A clearer understanding of the role ...
Medical research
Apr 16, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Research deciphers HIV attack plan
(Medical Xpress)—A new study by Los Alamos National Laboratory and University of Pennsylvania scientists defines previously unknown properties of transmitted HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. The viruses ...
HIV & AIDS
Apr 01, 2013 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
|
AAN issues top five Choosing wisely recommendations
(HealthDay)—The American Academy of Neurology's (AAN's) Top Five Recommendations in the Choosing Wisely campaign, established to promote high-value neurologic medicine and to foster physician-patient commun ...
Neuroscience
Feb 25, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Chronic hepatitis C: Interferon may be harmful in re-treatment
People with hepatitis C and chronic liver disease who relapsed or failed to respond to initial treatment are unlikely to improve on interferon retreatment. In fact, they may face an increased risk of dying sooner, and are ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Jan 30, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
Targeting hepatitis C treatment: The importance of interleukin (IL)-28
A metanalysis published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine has confirmed that polymorphisms (SNP) in the gene coding for interleukin-28 (IL28B) influence natural hepatitis C viral (HCV) ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Jan 07, 2013 |
not rated yet |
0
|
Japanese team creates cancer-specific killer T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells
Researchers from the RIKEN Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology in Japan report today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes, from induced ...
Medical research
Jan 03, 2013 |
5 / 5 (3) |
0
Gingivitis bacteria manipulate your immune system so they can thrive in your gums
A new research report published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology shows how the bacteria known for causing gum disease—Porphyromonas gingivalis—manipulates the body's immune system to disable normal processes that would ot ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Jan 03, 2013 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
|
MECP2 duplication affects immune system as well as brain development
In 1999, Dr. Huda Zoghbi and colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine identified the genetic cause of Rett syndrome (a neurological disorder that begins after birth) – MECP2 mutation. Too little of the MeCP2 protein associated ...
Medical research
Dec 05, 2012 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
|
Are we closer to understanding the cause of deadly sepsis?
Following an infection, dysregulation of the immune system can result in a systemic inflammatory response and an often fatal condition called severe sepsis or septic shock. Sepsis is not uncommon, yet its ...
Medical research
Nov 16, 2012 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
A comparative medicine study identifies new approach to combat viral infections
When a virus such as influenza invades our bodies, interferon proteins are among the first immune molecules produced to fight off the attack. Interferon can also play a role in suppressing tumor growth and ...
Medical research
Nov 09, 2012 |
5 / 5 (3) |
1
|
New MS drug proves effective where others have failed
A drug which 'reboots' a person's immune system has been shown to be an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who have already failed to respond to the first drug with which they were treated (a 'first-line' ...
Neuroscience
Oct 31, 2012 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
Interferon
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.
IFNs belong to the large class of glycoproteins known as cytokines. Interferons are named after their ability to "interfere" with viral replication within host cells. IFNs have other functions: they activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages; they increase recognition of infection or tumor cells by up-regulating antigen presentation to T lymphocytes; and they increase the ability of uninfected host cells to resist new infection by virus. Certain host symptoms, such as aching muscles and fever, are related to the production of IFNs during infection.
About ten distinct IFNs have been identified in mammals; seven of these have been described for humans. They are typically divided among three IFN classes: Type I IFN, Type II IFN, and Type III IFN. IFNs belonging to all IFN classes are very important for fighting viral infections.
For more information about Interferon, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
