Interferon-?s: special immunomodulatory agents and potential therapeutic targets.

ABSTRACT: Interferon (IFN)-?s are a new addition to the old IFN family and share many similarities, such as antiviral and antiproliferative characteristics, with type I IFNs. IFN-?s also exhibit unique characteristics in immunomodulation. Accumulating studies have indicated the interactions between IFN-?s and immune cells, which lead to the regulation of the latter. IFN-?s can influence dendritic cells (DCs) and their product, IFN-?s-DCs, can then regulate the function of T cells. On the other hand, IFN-?s can also directly affect T cells through inhibition of the T helper 2 cell (Th2) responses. IFN-?s have varying immunomodulatory functions under different physiological conditions or in different organs and can inhibit tumor growth via regulation of the immune system. Diseases associated with IFN-?s include asthma, allergy, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the biology of IFN-?s and their immunomodulatory function in relevant human diseases.

SUBMITTER: Zheng YW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6741515 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature