Interferon

About Interferon:

Understanding the potential uses and benefits of the protein Interferon may be particularly important due to the relationship they may play in developments towards the future of human health. Below, we examine what Interferon is, and why it matters.

Mechanism
Interferon Types I and II are members of the cytokines family, and have a crucial role to play in the way that information is conveyed between cells. Essentially, Interferon provide instructions between cells in response to pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and other foreign agents that the body considers to be unwanted intruders.
There are a number of different types of Interferons, but it is Type I Interferon that is best known and most researched. Type I is known to induce the onset of anti-proliferative, immunomodulatory, and anti-viral response. Type II has a similar function; it is secreted by ‘natural killer’ cells and T lymphocytes and can inhibit the growth, and sometimes destroy, viruses and cancerous cells.
Interferon Type III has been identified, but as yet its application is not particularly well understood.

Function
Interferon is a protein that acts as a battling sergeant, marshaling an army of eager soldiers, and issuing commands for an oncoming war. It is essentially the “wake up, trouble is coming” protein, helping to launch immune defenses against pathogens.
Interferon has become particularly of interest in the field of medical research due to the ability to provide immune responses to threats. Synthetic Interferon is now being manufactured and administered to patients, following successful research and trials into the potential benefits of additional Interferon proteins being used to fight a known threat. This threat may be a foreign virus, or a cancer.
At present, Interferon is prescribed for the following illnesses:
● Various forms of cancer, including melanoma, leukemia, and the AIDS-related cancer Kaposi’s Sarcoma.
● Viral infections, including the chronic strains of Hepatitis B and C.
● Type I Interferon is commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Interactions
Type I Interferon proteins are the defences of the body; the soldiers that help to ward off illness. In many cases, this is effective, and Type I Interferon proteins activate molecules that prevent a virus from producing and replicating.
However, certain pathogens have been found to be resistant to Interferon:
● H5NI; better known as “Bird Flu”
● Japanese Encephalitis
● Strains of the herpes virus have been shown to be resistant to Interferon
● Certain strains of the Dengue virus are also able to overcome the resistance mounted by Interferon.

Thoughts For The Future
Further research is ongoing as to the future uses of Interferon, including experiments on different forms of cancer.

Availability
A number of Interferon species are available at ProSpec, including:
● Human,
● Mouse,
● Equine,
● Rat,
● Ovine,
● Canine,
● Feline.

All types of Interferon are available. Each species is shipped in the appropriate thermal conditions, and is available in sizes ranging from 5µg, 20ug, 100ug, 500ug to to 1mg. If you wish to continue the important study of Interferon and its potential benefits for human health, then our various species will allow you to achieve this aim.