In what ways does interferon eliminate pathogensSolutionInte

In what ways does interferon eliminate pathogens?

Solution

Interferons are a group of proteins called cytokines produced by white blood cells, fibroblasts, or T-cells as part of an immune response to a viral infection or other immune trigger. IFNs are released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens. Interferons do not directly kill viral or cancerous cells; they boost the immune system response and reduce the growth of cancer cells by regulating the action of several genes that control the secretion of numerous cellular proteins that affect growth. The type I IFNs (IFN- and ) instruct infected cells to die by apoptosis. During apoptosis the virus is prevented from replicating and apoptosis also halts the spread of the infection.