Interferon

 System: Innate immune system

Laconic

Interferons are cytokines which are involved in anti-viral immunity.

 

Types

Type I interferons

• Signals

1. IFN-α
2. IFN-β
3. IFN-ε
4. IFN-κ 
5. IFN-ω

• Receptor = IFNAR
  
• IFNAR1
• IFNAR2

 

Type II interferons

• Signals

• IFNγ

• Receptor = IFNGR

1. IFNGR1
2. IFNGR2
   

 

Type III interferons

• Signals

1. IFN-λ1
2. IFN-λ2
3. IFN-λ3
4. IFN-λ4

• Receptors

1. IL10RB
   
2. IFNLR1
   

 

Downstream effects

• Upregulation of OAS1 => Activation of RNASELs (latent ribonucleases) => Degradation of viral (and host) RNA.
• Upregulation of PACT => Phosphorylation (activating) of PKR => Phosphorylation (deactivating) of eIF2α => Inhibition of viral (and host) protein synthesis.
• Upregulation of expression of major histocompatibility complex.
  

 

Biological functions

• Immune system modulation
• Anti-viral response
• Cancer suppression
  

 

See also

• Cytokines
• Leukocytes
• Lymphocytes
• Macrophages
• Natural killer cells
  
• Major histocompatibility complex