Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Interferon-alpha controls IL-17 expression in vitro and in vivo
Alexander R Moschen1, Sabine Geiger, Ingomar Krehan
1Christian Doppler Research Laboratory for Gut Inflammation and Clinical Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Type I interferons like interferon alpha (IFNalpha) suppress interleukin-17 (IL-17) production and Th17 cell differentiation. This finding suggests a potential mechanism for IFNalpha in treating inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Type I interferons (IFNalpha, IFNbeta) are crucial for antiviral defense and bridging innate and adaptive immunity.
- Interleukin-17 (IL-17) secreting T cells (Th17) are implicated in inflammatory conditions like colitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that type I interferons counteract Th17 cell development.
- To examine the effects of IFNalpha on IL-17 expression and Th17 differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Studied IFNalpha's effects on IL-17 mRNA and protein in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
- Investigated Th17 differentiation of human and murine naïve T cells with IFNalpha.
- Analyzed colonic IL-17 expression in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients before and after IFNalpha therapy.
Main Results:
- IFNalpha potently suppressed IL-17 production at both mRNA and protein levels in PBMC.
- Th17 cell differentiation was markedly suppressed by IFNalpha in vitro.
- UC patients showed reduced colonic IL-17 expression after IFNalpha therapy, correlating with clinical remission.
Conclusions:
- IFNalpha down-regulates IL-17 expression and Th17 cell differentiation in vitro and in vivo.
- These findings suggest a role for IFNalpha's immunomodulatory effects in treating inflammatory diseases.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

