Interferon modulates central nervous system function.
The interferons (IFNs) are an endogenous pleiotropic family of cytokines that perform fundamental physiological functions as well as protecting host organisms from disease and in maintaining homeostasis. This review covers the effects of endogenous IFN on the nervous system. It starts with the description of its receptors, followed how it modulate neuronal activity, mood, sleep, temperature, the endocrine system, the opioid system and how it regulate food consumption and the immune system. Similar to other multifunctional cytokines, an excessive or inappropriate activity of IFNs can cause toxicity and even death. Furthermore, IFNs are currently the major treatment modality for several malignant and non-malignant diseases such as chronic hepatitis C and B, multiple sclerosis, hematological malignancies, malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, etc.
Departamento de Fisiología, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Apdo. Postal 70250, México, 20, DF México.
Cruz
C
Reyes-Vázquez
Bertha
B
Prieto-Gómez
Nachum
N
Dafny
D000818:Animals; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep
D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D007372:Interferons