Interferon type III
Interferon type III is a class of interferons, which 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 tumor cells. Interferons belong to the larger class of proteins known as cytokines, which are crucial in the immune response.
Types of Interferons[edit]
Interferons are categorized into three main types: Interferon type I, Interferon type II, and Interferon type III. Each type has distinct functions and mechanisms of action.
Discovery and Structure[edit]
Interferon type III, also known as lambda interferons, includes IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, IFN-λ3, and IFN-λ4. These interferons were discovered more recently compared to type I and type II interferons. They are structurally similar to interleukins and signal through a receptor complex composed of IL10RB and IFNLR1.
Function[edit]
Interferon type III plays a critical role in the innate immune response to viral infections. They are particularly important in the defense of epithelial surfaces, such as those found in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and liver. Upon binding to their receptors, type III interferons activate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, leading to the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that inhibit viral replication and modulate the immune response.
Clinical Significance[edit]
Interferon type III has been studied for its potential therapeutic applications in treating viral infections such as hepatitis C and COVID-19. Due to their localized action and reduced systemic side effects compared to type I interferons, they are considered promising candidates for antiviral therapies.
Research and Development[edit]
Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise mechanisms of action of interferon type III and its potential applications in immunotherapy and antiviral treatments. Studies are also exploring the role of genetic variations in the IFN-λ genes and their impact on susceptibility to infections and response to treatments.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
External Links[edit]
| Cell signaling: cytokines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa
Tired of being overweight?
Special offer:
Budget GLP-1 weight loss medications
- Semaglutide starting from $29.99/week and up with insurance for visit of $59.99 and up per week self pay.
- Tirzepatide starting from $45.00/week and up (dose dependent) or $69.99/week and up self pay
✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
- GLP-1 weight loss clinic NYC
- W8MD's NYC medical weight loss
- W8MD Philadelphia GLP-1 shots
- Philadelphia GLP-1 injections
- Affordable GLP-1 shots NYC
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
