interferon

[in-ter-feer-on]

noun

1. Biochemistry.,  any of various proteins, produced by virus-infected cells, that inhibit reproduction of the invading virus and induce resistance to further infection.

2. Also called alpha-interferon. Pharmacology.,  an interferon produced by genetically engineered bacteria and harvested for use against hairy cell leukemia.

interferon

/ ˌɪntəˈfɪərɒn /

noun

1. biochem any of a family of proteins made by cells in response to virus infection that prevent the growth of the virus. Some interferons can prevent cell growth and have been tested for use in cancer therapy

interferon

1. Any of a group of glycoproteins that are involved in blocking viral replication in newly infected cells and are cytokines that modulate the body's immune response. Alpha interferon is used a treatment for viral hepatitis and certain cancers, such as leukemia. Beta interferon is used as a treatment for some types of multiple sclerosis.

interferon

1. A protein produced by cells after they have been exposed to a virus. Interferon prevents the virus from reproducing within the infected cells and can also induce resistance to the virus in other cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of interferon¹

First recorded in 1957; interfere + -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of interferon¹

C20: from _interfere + _-on

Example Sentences

"We have seen instances where the patient surprisingly didn't improve -- we wondered if certain interferon groups were involved."

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As soon as a viral infection occurs, the body releases type I interferon as an alarm signal.

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The regulatory mechanism of how cells maintain a balance between apoptosis and interferon response to efficiently suppress viral replication during infection, however, remained unclear.

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"We started seeing better signaling of things like interferons, which we know is problematic in obesity and in general saw the immune system starting to function the way that it should."

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"We think that the interferon response causes these specialized macrophage cells to come into that wound site and start to promote the growth of new blood vessels."

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