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Interferons are several proteins produced by the body as a defensive measure. The first line of defense from viral infections is interferon. It is a non-specific resistance factor, as it does not exhibit specificity towards a particular factor. In response to one virus Interferon is produced that can eliminate infection caused. Interferon is specified towards the host, and not towards viral pathogen, that is interferon is effective in human cells when it is produced by human cells only and is not effective in others.
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Key Terms: Interferon, viral infection, cells, proteins, T-lymphocytes, antiviral, bacteria, pathogen, infection, virus, human cell, immune system, cell division, T-cell, B-cell
What is Interferon?
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Interferon is the defensive measure of releasing natural glycoproteins to protect host cells from viral infection. Interferon acts against viral infection as the first line of defense. Interferon is also an important modulator in the immune system of the human body. The name Interferon comes from their ability to interfere with viral proliferation.
To fight against various diseases caused by viruses and bacteria, the production of Interferon is at a rapid rate. Fungal and bacterial infections are also effective towards interferon, as they promote differentiation of cells and inhibit their cell division. The ability to produce interferon is present in every vertebrate.
Intracellular signaling involvement of small proteins is categorized as cytokines. In response to the virus or other foreign substitute they are secreted by cells, but not affecting virus’s multiplication. In addition the infected cells are stimulated along with nearby cells to produce proteins to stop the replication of viruses within them. Interferon stops the activation of B-lymphocyte (B-cell) and improves the activity of T-lymphocyte (T-cell), which increases cellular-destruction capability.
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Discovery of Interferon
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British bacteriologist Alick Isaacs and Swiss microbiologist Jean Lindenmann discovered Interferon in 1957. It was an experiment to understand and study the properties of viral interference. It was known before that the infection by one virus can block or inhibit infection by another virus.
In the 1970s the research was conducted and results were surprising. Interferon not only prevents viral infection but also prevents the growth of cancersin some animals tested in the laboratory. This research gives good hopes in terms of use of drugs in various diseases. But this has serious side effects, which includes fatigue and flu-likesymptoms. Decrease in blood cellsby bone marrowwas also seen. So it was decided to be used in less serious diseases.
Forms of Interferons
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Interferon is a response to a variety of stimuli which represent proteins with antiviral properties that are produced in the cells. There are two types of interferon Type ? and Type ?. In Type ? interferon consists of IFN- and IFN-. In Type ? there is only one class IFN-. The classification is done on the basis of the type of cells the interferon generates along with the functional characteristics of the protein.
Interferons produced in all types of cell upon attack by virus are the first type known as Type I. The main objective of Type I interferon is to induce viral resistance in the cells. Type ? interferons are only generated by killer cells and T-lymphocytes. The main objective of Type ? is to send signal to immune system to give response to infectious agents or cancerous growth.
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Difference between Type I and Type II
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| Type I Interferon | Type II Interferon |
|---|---|
| Type I Interferons are produced by all types of cells. | Type II Interferons are produced by natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes. |
| Production of Type I interferon is triggered by viruses and bacteria | Production of Type II interferon is triggered by antigen stimulated T-cells |
| Two main classes of Type I interferon are IFN- and IFN- | Only one class in Type II Interferon is IFN- |
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Functions of Interferon
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- Type I Interferon
Type I Interferon includes IFN- and IFN-. These types induce the formation of antiviral proteins and do not engage directly with the viruses causing inhibition. The produced antiviral proteins are triggered to inhibit viral multiplication. Macromolecular components for viral multiplication are blocked by interferon proteins. IFN- is produced by infected leukocytes and epithelial cells, this is a response to viral infections. IFN- are generated by fibroblasts and epithelial cells at the time of viral or bacterial infection.
Type I interferon plays a vital role in the innate immune system. By preventing translation and DNA replication both the classes can inhibit protein synthesis in virus infected cells. Natural killer cells are triggered by Type I interferon.
- Type II Interferon
Type II Interferon includes IFN-. Type II Interferon can possess the properties of antiviral activity, but it’s major role involves destroying virus infected cells by activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Macrophages and monocytes are other naturally occurring killer cells which are activated by IFN-. so in comparison to Type II Interferon, the effect of IFN- It also implies the elimination of cancer cells which are recognised as the foreign object by the immune system of the body.
Application of Interferon
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For combating viral disease interferon can be an ideal agent. One interferon can inhibit many viruses, but some drawbacks stand in their use. They inhibit viral multiplication of infected cells at much lower concentration which turns out to be nontoxic for uninfected cells.
- Interferon is not only antiviral, it can also be used as anticancer activity. Clinical trials show that interferon has proven effective towards some types of tumors.
- For the process of Immuno-stimulant in cancer patient, IFN- is used. Immune response against tumor antigen that controls the resistance against growth of tumor in the body. The cytotoxic T-lymphocytes identifies these antigens as foreign and destroys them. IFN- helps to stimulate cytotoxic function of T-lymphocytes and other natural killer cells, thereby helping to control the growth of tumor cells.
- Biotechnologically produced interferons are approved to treat diseases like genital herpes caused by herpes virus, hepatitis B and C.
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Things to Remember
- Interferon is glycoproteins produced by the body as a defensive measure.
- It is effective against various diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and also fungal infection.
- It was also seen as effective in defeating some cancer cells when experimented on laboratory animals.
- Interferons required for human body cells should come from human cells only, Animal cells interferon are not effective.
- There are some serious side effects, which give flu-like symptoms.
- It is only used to cure less dangerous diseases, because of some serious side effects.
- Two types of Interferons: Type I Interferon and Type II interferon.
- Type I interferon contains two most common classes: IFN- and IFN-.
- Type II interferon contains only one class that is IFN-.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is Interferon? (2 Marks)
Ans. Interferon is a protein released by human body cells as the defensive measure to protect against viral infections. It is the important point of the Immune system of the human body. It is triggered when cells are infected by viruses, bacteria or fungal infection.
Ques. What are types of Interferons? (2 Marks)
Ans. There are two types of interferons Type I Interferon and Type II interferon.
- Type I interferon contains two most common classes: IFN- and IFN-.
- Type II interferon contains only one class that is IFN-.
The classification is done on the basis of type of cells the interferon is produced and the properties of protein.
Ques. Differentiate between Type I Interferon and Type II interferon? (3 Marks)
Ans.
| Type I Interferon | Type II Interferon |
|---|---|
| Type I Interferons are produced by all types of cells. | Type II Interferons are produced by natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes. |
| Production of Type I interferon is triggered by viruses and bacteria | Production of Type II interferon is triggered by antigen stimulated T-cells |
| Two main classes of Type I interferon are IFN- and IFN- | Only one class in Type II Interferon is IFN- |
Ques. State applications of Interferon? (2 Marks)
Ans.
- It is not only used as antiviral, but it can also be used as anticancer. In clinical trials it is seen that Interferon has shown positive signs against some cancer cells.
- It is used in the process of Immune stimulation in cancer patients. Immune is responded as a tumor antigen, which acts as resistance towards the growth of tumor in the body.
- Genetal herpes caused by herpes virus and hepatitis B and C treatments using interferon have been permitted.
Ques. IFN- is given to cancer patients, Explain? (2 Marks)
Ans. Avoiding recognition and immune system destruction are few of the capabilities of tumor cells. IFN- is a biological response modifier, which is given to cancer patients. It helps to destroy tumor cells by activating immune cells.
Ques. Interferon is produced in the person's body, the chances are he has got an infection of (2 Marks)
(A) Malaria
(B) Measles
(C) Typhoid
(D) Tetanus
Ans. B- Measles
Explanation: In the response to viral infection, interferon is produced in the body. Typhoid and Tetanus are the diseases caused because of the bacteria. Protozoan is the main cause for bacteria. Measles is the only disease which is caused by viral infection in the given group.
Ques. What is the reason behind using T-lymphokines in cancer therapy? (2 Marks)
(A) Cancer cells are foreign entities which should be recognized by cytotoxic T- cells
(B) Immune system is Stimulated by lymphokines
(C) Immune system becomes ineffective, if cancer develops
(D) All of the above
Ans. D. All of the above
Explanations: It’s major role involves destroying virus infected cells by activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. It also implies the elimination of cancer cells which are recognised as the foreign object by the immune system of the body. The characterization of the cancer signals required lymphokine indication. Further research is defined towards cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involvement, and provisionally ends with lymphokine genes transferred to cancer cells that are directly manipulated.
Ques. Interferon is ……….. (2 Marks)
(A) A steroid
(B) A carbohydrate
(C) Use on Cancer treatment
(D) A protein
Ans. D. A Protein
Explanation: Interferon is the protein released by the body as the defensive measure against the viral infection. Viral infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or other parasites. To contain viral infections, interferon interferes with viral replication.
Ques. Interferons are……….. (2 Marks)
(A) Antibody Molecules
(B) Antigen substance
(C) Proteins produced from viral infected cells, to protect non-infected from getting infected.
(D) Macrophages Proteins, which destroy microbes
Ans. C. Proteins produced from viral infected cells, to protect non-infected from getting infected.
Explanation: In response to the presence of viral bacteria, virus or tumor cells, interferon is released by the host cell. It belongs to cytokines, which is one of the classes of protein. This helps to communicate between cells to trigger defensive measures to eradicate pathogens. It is generally specified to viral infected cells.
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