Question

What does interferon do?
A. Kill the virus in a virus infected cell.
B. Kill the virus and destroy the cancerous cell.
C. Stimulate the T.I.P. (Transmission inhibiting protein)
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Interferons are the types of protein that are released by host cells against the response to the presence of pathogens like viruses, bacteria, parasites, or tumour producing cells. Interferons are named as they have the capability to hinder or “interfere” in the replication of viruses inside the host cells.

Complete answer:
The interferons i.e. IFNs belong to the category of glycoprotein, produces nonspecific resistance and strong antiviral activities against the viral infection. It is considered as one of the first lines of host defence against viral infections and provides immunity to the body. Interferon is produced by cells in response to viruses of foreign particle invasion. It does not directly kill the virus or infection, but inhibits and prevents the replication of viruses. It also triggers the nearby infected cells to secrete a protein that inhibits replication of the virus within the cells.
How it works
When the immune system of the body becomes alert because of the viral infection and other immune responses then the WBC’s (white blood cells) and virus infected cells of the body produce and secretes interferon (in the category of proteins i.e. cytokines). In this way, the interferon represses the viral replication and multiplication and defends non-infected cells from more infection to other cells.

Interferons never directly kills the viral infected cells nor kill the cancerous cells, but they trigger the immune system and helps in decreases the unwanted growth of carcinogenic cancer cells, by controlling the activity of several genes of the cells and stimulate the transmission inhibitory proteins TIP, which regulate the secretion of many cellular proteins that affects the growth.

Therefore, Interferons are proteins secreted by virus-infected cells which never kill the cells, but protect uninfected cells from further viral infection.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Interferon stimulate the T.I.P. (Transmission inhibiting protein). It stimulates protein synthesis inhibitors that stops the growth or proliferation of viral cells by interrupting the replication of viruses.
In conventional ways, virus-infected cells release interferons triggering nearby cells to enhance or raise antiviral auto defenses systems of the body.