Interferons: Type II & III

CATEGORY: RECEPTORS & MOLECULES

Interferons: Type II & III

Ellen Margaret Moran, Charles Institute of
Dermatology, University College Dublin, Ireland

Two additional interferon subtypes have also been identified as being biologically significant: type II
interferon or IFN- and the type III interferons IFN-1, IFN-2 and IFN-3. IFN- is secreted by natural
killer (NK) cells, T cells and antigen presenting cells (monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells)
whereas to date the only source of type III interferons identified is plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs).
IFN- was initially described as an antiviral factor, however, it has since been demonstrated to
contribute to a much wider range of biological activities. Binding of IFN- to its receptors promotes
cellular immune responses; activation of macrophages and NK cells; upregulation of MHC expression
and promoting leucocyte migration. IFN- is also considered the key cytokine in the Th1 immune
response.
Type III interferons are co-expressed with type I interferons by virally infected cells and both contribute
to the early antiviral response. In addition, type III IFNs are capable of modulating the adaptive immune
response. IFN- increases MHC I and II expression on DCs as well as levels of CCR7, the chemokine
receptor crucial for DC migration to lymph nodes.
The broad functions of the interferon family are evidenced by the treatments currently in use and/or in
development that modulate the various members for the treatment of diseases such as chronic
hepatitis C infection and multiple sclerosis.
.

Table 1. Members of the Type II and III Interferon Family

Members

Cellular

Functions

source
Type II

IFN-

NK cells,

Activates macrophages and NK cells

T cells,

Upregulation of MHC expression

antigen

Drives leucocyte migration

presenting

Mediator of Th1 immune response

Upregulation

cells
Type III

IFN- 1, IFN-2, IFN- Plasmacytoid

3

DCs

of

DC

MHC

and

II

expression
-

Modulation
migration

of

CCR7

mediated

DC

The copyright for this work resides with the author

Interferons were first described in the late 1950s by two scientists Isaacs and Lindenmann who
assigned an antiviral factor the name interferon. This was due to the molecules ability to interfere
with the growth of the influenza virus. In the subsequent twenty years, the type I interferon family
comprising key members such as IFN- and IFN- was well characterised. The type I interferons are
considered the first line of defence against numerous viral infections in humans.