Resistance to interferons.
Extract: Interferons alpha, beta and gamma are a group of structurally and functionally related proteins, produced in response to viruses or double-stranded RNA and defined by their ability to establish an antiviral state in cells. They were originally discovered by Isaacs and Lindenmann (1957). Since their original discovery, several interferon genes and proteins have been identified. Their mechanisms of action were studied and in addition to the antiviral activity, other biological activities were also uncovered including inhibition of cell proliferation and immunomodulation. Human interferon-alpha is a family of at least 23 polypeptides coded by several related genes. The various interferons exhibit a high level of species specificity with some exceptions. For example, there is a high level of activity of human interferon-alpha subtypes on bovine cells. Interferons have been used for the treatment of certain viral infections, multiple sclerosis, certain cancers including hematologic malignancies and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related cancerous complications.
Ambrus
Julian L
JL
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo General Hospital-Kaleida Health System, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
Dembinski
Wlodzimierz
W
Chadha
Kunal
K
Ambrus
Julian L
JL
Chadha
Kailash C
KC