Question

What are interferons? Mention their role.

Answer 1

Interferons are discovered by Isaacs and Lindenmann at $1957$. They made the experiment using the chicken cell culture. The substance which interferes with the viral replication is called the interferons or interference factors. Naturally occurring proteins and glycoprotein are the interferons. In structure wise it is a helical cytokine family. It is characterized by an amino acid chain. If the tissue cell is infected by the virus then it will produce or release the interferons.

Complete answer:
Interferons are the group of glycoproteins secreted by the cell in response to viruses. It is a set of proteins which is released when the cell is infected by the viruses. Non-infected cells get the safety from the virus by interferons which are released during the process. There are three types of interferons available; they are alpha, beta and gamma interferons. Monocytes and lymphocytes are the source for alpha interferons. These interferons are produced in response to viruses. By the fibroblasts and epithelial cell process beta interferon is produced. Finally the gamma interferons produced by the T-cells. Interferons also modified the immune system.
It doesn't play the direct attack over the virus. The complete action of interferons takes place about twelve hours. Interferons production is increased at the increasing temperature. Interferons are non toxic, non antigenic and diffuses freely in the human body. Its activity looks like wide spectrum activity. It is also used in viral treatment. Interferons used in keratitis, genital warts and respiratory viruses. Alpha type of interferons used in the treatment for chronic and hairy cell leukemia. It is used as a therapy for breast carcinoma. It also resists from the malaria and Chlamydia.

Note:
Interferons are the natural defense one produced when the viral infection occurs in the cell. It is used to detect if the body contains germs or cancer cells in the body. It interferes with the electron and prevents the virus from multiplying. So it is named as the interferons. It acts as an antiviral agent. It is a first line defense force when the virus or bacteria is entered in the body. It also acts as the inflammatory agent at the cell which is affected.