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What Is Interferon
What Is Interferon
There are two types of human interferons, type I and type II, and interferon-like cytokines.
Type I human interferons consist of six classes: IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-ε, IFN-κ, IFN-ω, and
IFN-ν. However, a large number of type I interferons are found in other animal species.
Type II interferon consists only of IFN-γ. In addition, three related human interferon-like
cytokines have been reported: IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29. There is only one IFN-β, IFN-ε,
IFN-κ, IFN-ω, and IFN-ν, but the IFN-α proteins consist of twelve individual proteins.
The main differences between IFNγ (type II) and IFNα/β (type I) are summarized as
follows:
The different receptors and the differences in the metabolic signaling pathways open
avenues for a combined clinical use of IFNγ and IFNβ or IFNγ and IFNα. In the latter
case, the possible effect of IFNγ on the IFNα receptor has to be taken into consideration.
This effect seems to depend on the cellular type. In the neuroblastoma cell line T98G,
IFNγ suppresses the binding of IFNα to its receptor, possibly by affecting its dissociation
constant (Kd). In other tumor cell lines (melanoma HMV-1, kidney carcinoma ACHN,
Daudi lymphoma), IFNγ induces the receptors of IFNα but only under the condition that
IFNγ preceded the treatment with IFNα.
Interferon possesses certain characteristic properties which distinguish it from other virus
inhibitors. These include:
Physicochemical Properties
Interferon is a protein of low molecular weight. Its molecule contains the following
components: tyrosine 2.3%, tryptophan 2.6%, arginine 7.2%, lysine 11.1%. It does not
contain nucleic acids and only traces of carbohydrate are present. Interferon has a
slightly acid reaction and contains disulfide bridges. The number of polypeptide chains
has not been established. However, the reaction of this protein is alkaline and the
isoelectric point is close to pH 6.9-7.1 or 7.2-7.8.
Species Specificity
One of the most important properties of interferon is its well-marked species specificity.
This property of interferon was first described by Tyrrell. In his experiments the
inhibitors obtained in the chorioallantoic membranes of the chick embryo and in cultures
of calf kidney cells possessed antiviral activity only in homologous cells. Isaacs and
Westwood also showed that vaccinal lesions in the rabbit’s skin were actively inhibited by
interferon produced in cultures of rabbit cells, whereas chick interferon gave a very weak
effect in such cases. The opposite effect was obtained in experiments on chick embryos,
i.e., only chick and not rabbit interferon was active. Later the marked species specificity
of interferon was confirmed by most investigations.
Antigenic Properties
References:
Solov’ev, V. (2012). Interferon: Theory and Applications. Springer Science & Business
Media.
Tsanev, R. G., & Ivanov, I. (2001). Immune interferon: properties and clinical
applications. CRC Press.
Source: https://www.creative-peptides.com/blog/index.php/what-is-interferon/