Human Health - Interferons

A group of small protein molecules produced in the body or by transgenic organisms and used in the treatment of viral diseases is called interferon.

• Interferons are virus-induced proteins produced by host cells when they are infected by viruses.
• They were discovered in 1957 by British scientists Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindermann.
• They act as the body's first line of defence against viruses, mounting a response that is much quicker than the standard antibody response.
• By nature, interferons are strictly antiviral in their action and are species-specific.

• The most important property of an interferon is its ability to interfere with viral replication.
• When a virus attacks a cell and begins to multiply, it stimulates the infected host cell to produce interferon.
• The host cell releases this interferon, which then comes into contact with adjacent, healthy cells.
• This contact successfully renders the neighbouring cells resistant to further viral attacks.

Interferon production and activity

• Interferon itself is not directly antiviral; instead, it brings about an 'antiviral state' by triggering specific cellular changes in healthy cells.
• These changes inhibit essential viral processes, specifically viral protein synthesis and viral RNA transcription.
• In some instances, it also prevents the assembly and release of new virus particles, completely halting replication.

• While primarily stimulated by active virus attacks, interferon production can also be triggered by several other factors.
• Alternative triggers include inactivated viruses, double-stranded RNA, man-made double-stranded oligonucleotides, and bacterial endotoxins.

• Interferons are biologically extremely active molecules.
• They provide a strong natural defence against common viral diseases such as hepatitis and influenza.
• They also appear to be highly effective against certain types of cancer, particularly cancer of the breast and lymph nodes.

• Interferons are fast-acting, species-specific proteins that serve as the body's rapid first line of defence against viral infections.
• They are produced and released directly by host cells that have been infected by a multiplying virus.
• Once released, interferons bind to neighbouring healthy cells, making them completely resistant to subsequent viral attacks.
• Instead of directly destroying the virus, they create an 'anti-viral state' in healthy cells that stops viral replication, protein synthesis, and assembly.
• Their production can also be stimulated by other factors, including inactivated viruses, double-stranded RNA, and bacterial endotoxins.
• They are highly active biological molecules that naturally defend against diseases such as hepatitis and influenza and are effective against breast and lymph node cancers.