Related Experiment Videos
Interferons, interferon-like cytokines, and their receptors
Sidney Pestka1, Christopher D Krause, Mark R Walter
1Department of Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854-5635, USA. pestka@waksman.rutgers.edu
Immunological Reviews
|November 18, 2004
Summary
Human interferons (IFNs) and related cytokines are crucial for innate immunity. This review details their history, genes, proteins, receptors, and evolving understanding of their functions and clinical uses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) was the first approved biotherapeutic in 1986, pioneering cytokine development.
- Despite IFN-alpha's success, the functions of numerous human interferons (IFNs) and IFN-like cytokines remain incompletely understood.
- This highlights a significant gap in our knowledge of these critical immune molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of human IFNs and IFN-like cytokines.
- To summarize current knowledge on their genes, proteins, receptors, and signal transduction pathways.
- To explore their biological activities, clinical applications, and evolutionary development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on IFNs and related cytokines.
- Description of known IFN and IFN-like cytokine families, including their respective genes and proteins.
- Analysis of receptor interactions and signal transduction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of all known IFNs and IFN-like cytokines (e.g., IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29) and their receptors.
- Discussion of biological activities, clinical applications, and evolutionary insights.
- Elucidation of the structural relationships between IFNs, their receptors, and their functions.
Conclusions:
- Human IFNs and IFN-like cytokines are essential components of the innate immune system with diverse roles.
- Continued research is vital to fully understand their complex functions and harness their therapeutic potential.
- The evolutionary perspective offers new insights into the development and significance of these proteins.