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Published on: November 16, 2016
[Role of IFN-gamma in nonviral infection]
1Department of Microbiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.
Insights
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a crucial role in innate immunity against pathogens. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding IFN-gamma's function in nonviral infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Context:
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key cytokine induced by various stimuli, including receptor-mediated signaling, T cell receptors (TCRs), and natural killer (NK) cell receptors.
- Its production is crucial for innate immune responses against intracellular pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Purpose:
- To review recent progress on the role of IFN-gamma in nonviral infections.
- To elucidate the cellular effects and immunomodulatory functions of IFN-gamma.
Summary:
- IFN-gamma induces pathogen recognition, enhances antigen processing and presentation, and establishes an antiviral state.
- It inhibits cellular proliferation, influences apoptosis, activates microbicidal functions, and modulates leukocyte trafficking.
- This cytokine is critical for host defense against various intracellular pathogens.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of IFN-gamma's significance in combating nonviral infections.
- Highlights the multifaceted cellular effects and immunomodulatory actions of IFN-gamma.
- Offers insights into potential therapeutic strategies targeting IFN-gamma pathways in infectious diseases.
Abstract:
IFN-gamma is induced by receptor-mediated stimulation or in response to early produced cytokines, including interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-18, and IFN-alpha/beta, or by stimulation through T cell receptors (TCRs) or natural killer (NK) cell receptors. Cellular effects of IFN-gamma are described, including up-regulation of pathogen recognition, antigen processing and presentation, the antiviral state, inhibition of cellular proliferation and effects on apoptosis, activation of microbicidal effector functions, immunomodulation, and leukocyte trafficking. Innate production of IFN-gamma is a critical step in immunological defense against certain pathogen, such as intracellular bacteria, viruses and fungi. This review focuses on recent progress of the role of IFN-gamma in nonviral infections.
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