True about interferon is:: (A) It is a synthetic antiviral agent, (B) Inhibits viral replication in cells, (C) Is specific for paicular virus, (D) None
Answer is B. Ans. (b) Inhibits viral replication in cells Rt,11 itlii ilallarayl111 CO, p p Iiii i tC,i :;r, p Interferon (host coded protein) has no direct action on viruses but inhibit viral replication by selectively inhibiting translation of viral m-RNA without affecting cellular m-RNA. IFN are not virus specific but species specific. It is of 3 types: Type Cell source. Cell target Biological ctivity IFN a (protein) or leukocyte IFN All cells All cells Antiviral activity; stimulates T L.ell, macrophages and NK cell activity IFN 13 (glycoprotein) or Fibroblast IFN All cells All cells Direct antitumor effects Upregulates MHC class I antigen expression. Used therepeutically in viral and autoimmune disease * IFNy (glycoprotein) or immune IFN T cells All cells Regulates macrophage and NK cells activation NK cells Stimulates Ig secretion by B cells Induction of class II histocompatibility antigens TH1 T cell differentiation