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Are all Type I human interferons equivalent?

1998; Wiley; Volume: 5; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1365-2893.1998.00103.x

1365-2893

Graham R. Foster, N. B. Finter,

Immune Response and Inflammation

The Type I interferons are a family of closely related cytokines that have antiviral and immunostimulatory properties. There has been prolonged debate regarding the different interferon-alpha subtypes: with some authorities suggest that the different interferons have essentially similar properties but others argue that there are significant differences between them. Recent work has shown that the various interferon-alpha subtypes can interact with the interferon receptor components in different ways and can activate a number of different signalling pathways. Recent studies on the immunomodulatory properties of the Type I interferons indicate that there are profound differences between the subtypes. The clinical significance of all these differences remains to be determined.