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Are all Type I human interferons equivalent?
Author(s) -
Foster G. R.,
Finter N. B.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2893.1998.00103.x
Subject(s) - interferon , interferon type i , alpha interferon , receptor , biology , signalling pathways , immunology , signalling , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
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‐α 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‐α 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.