The interferons: 50 years after their discovery, there is much more to learn.
The interferons (IFNs) and their receptors represent a subset of the class 2 alpha-helical cytokines that have been in chordates for millions of years. This brief review focuses on the discovery and purification of interferons, cloning of human IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, interferon receptors, activities and therapeutic uses of interferons, and the side effects of interferons.
Pestka
Sidney
S
Department of Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. Pestka@umdnj.edu
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology*
D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta; D007372:Interferons