Interferon-gamma and resistance to bacterial infections.
Since its initial description as an antiviral, it has become clear that Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has potent immunoregulatory and cell growth regulatory activities. As a result of these additional activities, it is now apparent that IFN-gamma plays a major role in regulation of bacterial infections. IFN-gamma can be both induced by bacteria and bacterial products; endogenous IFN-gamma production has been shown to play a protective role in the natural host response to several bacterial infections; and administration of exogenous IFN-gamma is effective in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in numerous animal model systems. Although it is now clear that IFN-gamma plays a role in regulation of bacterial infections, the mechanisms of its anti-bacterial effects in vivo remain to be established due to the pleiotropic nature of IFN-gamma activity.
Czarniecki
C W
CW
Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California.
Sonnenfeld
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G
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007371:Interferon-gamma