Type I interferons as vaccine adjuvants against infectious diseases and cancer.
Presently, new attention is given to type I interferons (IFNs) as essential factors linking innate and adaptive immunity. Several studies provided evidence about the importance of IFN-alpha in the differentiation of the Th1 subset, in the generation and activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, in the enhancement of a primary antibody response and in the activation of dendritic cells. Owing to their immunomodulatory properties, type I IFNs can represent good candidates to be used as adjuvants for vaccination. In the present review, we summarize recent studies in humans and in animal models, suggesting a possible application of type I IFNs as adjuvants for the development of more effective vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer.
Bracci
Laura
L
Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy. laura.bracci@iss.it
La Sorsa
Valentina
V
Belardelli
Filippo
F
Proietti
Enrico
E
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007370:Interferon Type I; D014612:Vaccines