Crossword clues for interferon
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1957, coined in English, so called because it "interferes" with the reduplication of viruses. From interfere + subatomic particle suffix -on.
Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) Any of a group of glycoproteins, produced by the immune system, that prevent viral replication in infected cells.
WordNet
n. an antiviral protein produced by cells that have been invaded by a virus; inhibits replication of the virus
Wikipedia
Interferons (IFNs) are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and also tumor cells. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten their anti-viral defenses.
IFNs belong to the large class of proteins known as cytokines, molecules used for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that help eradicate pathogens. Interferons are named for their ability to "interfere" with viral replication by protecting cells from virus infections. IFNs also have various other functions: they activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages; they increase host defenses by up-regulating antigen presentation by virtue of increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Certain symptoms of infections, such as fever, muscle pain and "flu-like symptoms", are also caused by the production of IFNs and other cytokines.
More than twenty distinct IFN genes and proteins have been identified in animals, including humans. They are typically divided among three classes: Type I IFN, Type II IFN, and Type III IFN. IFNs belonging to all three classes are important for fighting viral infections and for the regulation of the immune system.
Usage examples of "interferon".
He'd tried ribavirin and interferon as treatments for Ebola, without positive result.
Rousseau in Paris has tried interferon and a few other things, but no luck so far.
It had once been thought that interferon might help, but that hadn't worked.
Neither the Interferon nor the Interleukin-3a had touched her Shiva strands, which were replicating with gusto, and in her case attacking her liver with ferocious speed.
One of the bioengineering places squeezed my order in between batches of interferon or something, I understand it isn't hard to do.
We tried the interferons and synthetic analogues of 2' ,5'-oligoadnylate.
With the interferons and other immunological amplifiers we have, we could stimulate her body to throw off the malignancy.
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