What is interferon?
Interferon is a protein produced by the body's immune system in response to 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 producing naturally in the body, interferon can also be produced in laboratories for medical treatment and several pharmaceutical companies have an interferon version on the market.
There are three types of interferon: type I, type II and type III. These types are divided by cell types with which they interact, how they are produced and what they do. Type I interferons include subclosification known as Alpha, Beta, Kappa, Delta, Epsilon, Tau, Omega and Zeta. Interferons type II include interferon-gama, made by T-cells, while type III categories consists of several versions of interferon-LAMBDA. Type III classification is not accepted by all members of the medical community.
When points detect symptoms of viral ingress or infection, it can cause interferon production. Interferons moHou stimulate the production of specific proteins, inhibiting viral replication inside the body cells and increase the body resistance to the virus. The body only produces these proteins when they are needed because they can disrupt normal activities such as red blood cell production. Other animals also produce cytokines in response to infections and viral inputs, although these proteins differ from animal to animal.
In medical therapy, interferons are sometimes given to increase the function of the immune system. Interon injections are used in the treatment of some cancer so that the body can fight atypical cells more efficient in cancer and these proteins are also used in the treatment of conditions such as hepatitis C. Treatment of interferon may be exhausting in patients and generally present symptoms such as nausea, irritability and fatigue.
Other types of interferon are constantly appearing and scientists always learn newthings about the functions of these proteins in the body. Further research revealed a number of potential therapeutic uses and also helped the medical community to understand how the immune system works and what can cause it to fall apart. In addition to approval for a number of medical treatments, these proteins are sometimes administered in situations outside the designation to treat conditions that appear to be responding to interferon.