ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the nonantiviral properties induced in cells by IFN, and to discuss in particular those cellular alterations which may be of primary importance in the immune response to intracellular pathogens. The interferons are a family of related glycoproteins synthesized in response to virus infection, which are capable of inhibiting viral replication in treated cells. Although a recapitulation of the results of numerous studies of the effects of inter-ferons on the immune response is beyond the scope of this chapter, it can be said that the interferons generally have an enhancing effect on the activities of immune cells, particularly lymphocytes and macrophages. Clear identification of the mechanism of action of IFN may finally depend on analysis of induction events at the molecular genetic level. Although interferons were originally described on the basis of antiviral activity, it is now clear that these proteins have a much broader role in regulation of the biological activity of a variety of cells.