Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 24, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
10:00

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

13.6K

Interferon receptor signaling in malignancy: a network of cellular pathways defining biological outcomes

Eleanor N Fish1, Leonidas C Platanias2

  • 1Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network and Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Molecular Cancer Research : MCR
|September 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Interferons (IFNs) are crucial for anti-cancer immunity. This review explores how IFNs utilize shared signaling pathways with growth factors and tumorigenic signals uniquely to fight cancer and viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines vital for immune surveillance against cancer.
  • IFN receptor-activated Jak-Stat pathways are key to understanding IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) transcription.
  • Other signaling pathways like MAPK, mTOR, and PKC also contribute to IFN activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review emerging evidence on how IFNs interact with signaling pathways.
  • To present a model where IFNs uniquely engage shared signaling elements.
  • To highlight the role of IFNs in antiproliferative and antiviral responses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of established and emerging research on IFN signaling.
  • Analysis of shared signaling pathways between IFNs, growth factors, and tumorigenic signals.
  • Investigation into the regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in IFN responses.

Main Results:

  • IFNs employ distinct mechanisms to activate signaling pathways compared to growth factors.
  • Shared signaling elements are modulated differently by IFNs to elicit antiproliferative and antiviral effects.
  • Specific miRNAs significantly regulate IFN signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • IFNs share signaling pathway components with growth factors and oncogenic signals.
  • The unique engagement of these pathways by IFNs is critical for their therapeutic potential.
  • Understanding these intricate signaling networks is key for developing novel cancer and antiviral therapies.

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