title: Interferon and the central nervous system.
abstract: Interferons (IFNs) were discovered as natural antiviral substances produced during viral infection and were initially characterized for their ability to "interfere" with viral replication, slow cell proliferation, and profound alteration of immunity. The IFNs are synthesized and secreted by monocytes, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, neurons, and glia cells. The different IFNs are classified into three classes: alpha, beta, and gamma. alpha-IFN produced in the brain exerts direct effects on the brain and endocrine system by activating the neurosecretory hypothalamic neurons and regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. IFNs modulate neurophysiological activities of many brain region involving in pain, temperature, and food intake regulation. alpha-IFN administration activates the sympathetic nerves innervating components of the immune system. IFNs may serve as regulatory mediators between the central nervous system, the immune system, and endocrine system. IFN is used as immunologic therapy to treat various hematologic malignancies and infectious ailments and autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas, Medical School, P.O. Box 20708, Houston, Texas 77225, USA. Nachum.Dafny@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Nachum
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dafny
authors.forename: Pamela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000378:metabolism*; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009294:Narcotics; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D007372:Interferons; D005947:Glucose