title: Interferon, a growing cytokine family: 50 years of interferon research.
abstract: The establishment of an antiviral state in cells is the defining activity of interferons (IFNs) as well as the property that permitted their discovery in 1957 by Isaacs and Lindenmann. In addition, interferons have other cellular functions that have potential clinical applications. Today, interferons are used for the treatment of a variety of malignancies and viral diseases. The publication of this special issue of Biochimie gives us a great opportunity to review the state of the art in knowledge about interferons and to explore possible future directions. This commentary text will introduce the reviews written by colleagues who are experts in different aspects of interferon research, to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of interferon.
authors.affiliation: CNRS FRE2944, Institut Lwoff, 7 rue Guy Môquet, 94801 Villejuif, France. mchelbi@vjf.cnrs.fr
authors.forename: Mounira K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chelbi-Alix
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wietzerbin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D007372:Interferons