Interferons are proteins produced by the immune system in response to infection. There are three types, with Type I having several subtypes. They can be produced in a lab and used in medical treatment, but can cause side effects. Research is ongoing to discover more types and potential therapeutic uses.
An interferon is a protein produced by the body’s immune system in response to an infection. Interferons are part of a larger group of proteins known as cytokines and are produced by cells such as leukocytes, T cells and fibroblasts. In addition to being produced naturally in the body, interferon can also be produced in a laboratory for medical treatment purposes, and several pharmaceutical companies have versions of this drug on the market.
There are three types of interferon: Type I, Type II and Type III. These types are divided by the types of cells they interact with, how they are made, and what they do. Type I includes subclassifications known as alpha, beta, kappa, delta, epsilon, tau, omega, and zeta. The Type II category includes interferon-gamma, which is produced by T cells, while the Type III category consists of different versions of interferon-lambda. The type III classification is not accepted by all members of the medical community.
When the body detects signs of an intrusion or viral infection, it can trigger the production of interferons. Protein can stimulate the production of specific proteins, inhibiting viral replication within the body’s cells and making the body more resistant to the virus. The body only produces these proteins when they are needed, because they can interfere with normal activities such as the production of red blood cells. Other animals also produce cytokines in response to infections and viral incursions, although these proteins vary from animal to animal.
In medical therapy, interferons are sometimes given to boost immune system function. Injections of the protein are used in the treatment of certain cancers so that the body can more effectively fight the atypical cells characteristic of cancer and these proteins are also used in the treatment of conditions such as hepatitis C. Treatment with interferon can be exhausting for patients and generally experience symptoms such as nausea, irritability and fatigue.
More types of this protein are constantly being discovered, and researchers are always learning new things about the functions of these proteins in the body. Further research has revealed a number of potential therapeutic uses and has also helped the medical community understand how the immune system works and what can cause it to break down. In addition to being approved for a number of medical treatments, these proteins are sometimes given in off-label situations to treat conditions that appear to respond to interferon.
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