Signaling proteins released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens
"IFN" redirects here. For other uses, see IFN (disambiguation).
Interferon type I (α/β/δ...)
The molecular structure of human interferon-alpha (PDB: 1RH2)
Identifiers
Symbol
Interferons
Pfam
PF00143
InterPro
IPR000471
SMART
SM00076
PROSITE
PDOC00225
CATH
1au0
SCOP2
1au1 / SCOPe / SUPFAM
CDD
cd00095
Available protein structures:
Pfam
structures / ECOD
PDB
RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum
structure summary
Interferon type II (γ)
The three-dimensional structure of human interferon gamma (PDB: 1HIG)
Identifiers
Symbol
IFN-gamma
Pfam
PF00714
InterPro
IPR002069
CATH
1d9cA00
SCOP2
d1d9ca_ / SCOPe / SUPFAM
Available protein structures:
Pfam
structures / ECOD
PDB
RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum
structure summary
Interferon type III (λ)
Identifiers
Symbol
IL28A
Pfam
PF15177
InterPro
IPR029177
CATH
3og6A00
Available protein structures:
Pfam
structures / ECOD
PDB
RCSB PDB; PDBe; PDBj
PDBsum
structure summary
Interferons (IFNs, /ˌɪntərˈfɪərɒn/IN-tər-FEER-on[1]) are a group of signaling proteins[2] made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten their anti-viral defenses.
IFNs belong to the large class of proteins known as cytokines, molecules used for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that help eradicate pathogens.[3] Interferons are named for their ability to "interfere" with viral replication[3] by protecting cells from virus infections. However, virus-encoded genetic elements have the ability to antagonize the IFN response, contributing to viral pathogenesis and viral diseases.[4] IFNs also have various other functions: they activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages, and they increase host defenses by up-regulating antigen presentation by virtue of increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Certain symptoms of infections, such as fever, muscle pain and "flu-like symptoms", are also caused by the production of IFNs and other cytokines.
More than twenty distinct IFN genes and proteins have been identified in animals, including humans. They are typically divided among three classes: Type I IFN, Type II IFN, and Type III IFN. IFNs belonging to all three classes are important for fighting viral infections and for the regulation of the immune system.
^"Interferon | Definition of Interferon by Lexico". Archived from the original on 2020-12-22. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
^De Andrea M, Ravera R, Gioia D, Gariglio M, Landolfo S (2002). "The interferon system: an overview". European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. 6 Suppl A (6): A41–6, discussion A55–8. doi:10.1053/ejpn.2002.0573. PMID 12365360. S2CID 4523675.
^ abParkin J, Cohen B (June 2001). "An overview of the immune system". Lancet. 357 (9270): 1777–89. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04904-7. PMID 11403834. S2CID 165986.
^Elrefaey, Ahmed M. E.; Hollinghurst, Philippa; Reitmayer, Christine M.; Alphey, Luke; Maringer, Kevin (November 2021). "Innate Immune Antagonism of Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses in Humans and Mosquitoes". Viruses. 13 (11): 2116. doi:10.3390/v13112116. PMC 8624719. PMID 34834923.
Interferons (IFNs, /ˌɪntərˈfɪərɒn/ IN-tər-FEER-on) are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several...
The type-I interferons (IFN) are cytokines which play essential roles in inflammation, immunoregulation, tumor cells recognition, and T-cell responses...
Interferon gamma (IFNG or IFN-γ) is a dimerized soluble cytokine that is the only member of the type II class of interferons. The existence of this interferon...
Interferon alfa (INN) or HuIFN-alpha-Le, trade name Multiferon, is a pharmaceutical drug composed of natural interferon alpha (IFN-α), obtained from the...
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signaling as immunomodulating agents. Cytokines include chemokines, interferons, interleukins, lymphokines, and tumour necrosis factors, but generally...
Interferon regulatory factor 3, also known as IRF3, is an interferon regulatory factor. IRF3 is a member of the interferon regulatory transcription factor...
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING), also known as transmembrane protein 173 (TMEM173) and MPYS/MITA/ERIS is a protein that in humans is encoded by...
Interferon regulatory factor 7, also known as IRF7, is a member of the interferon regulatory factor family of transcription factors. IRF7 encodes interferon...
Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a 17 kDA secreted protein that in humans is encoded by the ISG15 gene. ISG15 is induced by type I interferon...
respond to a select group of cytokines including interferon type I, interferon type II, interferon type III. and members of the interleukin-10 family...
Interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) are medical tests used in the diagnosis of some infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)...
type of immune cell that are known to secrete large quantities of type 1 interferon (IFNs) in response to a viral infection. They circulate in the blood and...
Interferon regulatory factors (IRF) are proteins which regulate transcription of interferons (see regulation of gene expression). Interferon regulatory...
The type III interferon group is a group of anti-viral cytokines, that consists of four IFN-λ (lambda) molecules called IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, IFN-λ3 (also known...
Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) also known as interferon consensus sequence-binding protein (ICSBP), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the...
where TB prevalence is high. These have been reviewed in detail. Interferon-γ (interferon-gamma) release assays (IGRAs) are 21st century tests for tuberculosis...
Interferon tau (IFNτ, IFNT) is a Type I interferon made of a single chain of amino acids. IFN-τ was first discovered in ruminants as the signal for the...
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