Interferon genes

Interferon alfacon-1 (Inferax ), interferon alfa-2b (IntronA ), and interferon alfa-2a (Roferon -A) are applied in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C and some malignancies, especially hairy cell leukemia. IFN-a proteins induce the expression of antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory genes. 

Honda K, Takaoka A, Taniguchi T (2006) Type I interferon gene induction by Hie interferon regulatory factor family of transcription factors. Immunity 25 349-360... 

In mammalia, seven different members encoded by distinct genes have been identified, all of which are activated by a distinct set of cytokines. Diversity in signaling is provided by variants of STAT proteins derived from either alternative splicing of RNA transcripts or proteolytic processing (e.g., STATs 1,3,4, and 5) and the ability of certain STATs to form both homodimers and heterodimers with each other. In response to inteiferon-y monomeric STAT1 dimerizes, while upon interferon-a stimulation a heterotrimeric complex consisting of STAT 1 and STAT2 with associated... 

PIAS Proteins. Figure 1 Reporter gene assay with an interferon-y-driven artificial promoter demonstrating the inhibitory transcriptional activity of increasing amounts of PIAS on STAT1 signal transduction. 

Abstract In 2007, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the discovery of interferon (IFN) by Isaacs and Lindemnann. Subsequently, the IFN-a gene was cloned, fully sequenced and IFN-a was produced in recombinant form. Recombinant IFN-a is now used as the basis for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection and can also be used to treat certain forms of chronic hepatitis B virus infections. IFNs have also been used in other viral infections, although with less success. The antiviral mechanisms of IFNs are reviewed in this chapter as well as the utility of IFNs in the treatment of persistent viral infections. 

In 2007, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the discovery of interferon (IFN) by Isaacs and Lindemnann (Isaacs and Lindemnann 1957). Human IFN-a was the first cytokine to be purified to homogeneity. Subsequently, the IFN-a gene... 

Gough DJ, Sabapathy K, Ko EY, Arthur HA, Schreiber RD, Trapani JA, Clarke CJ, Johnstone RW (2007) A novel c-Jun-dependent signal transduction pathway necessary for the transcriptional activation of interferon gamma response genes. J Biol Chem 282 938-946 Guidotti LG, Chisari EV (2001) Noncytolytic control of viral infections by the innate and adaptive immune response. Annu Rev Immunol 19 65-91... 

Eiedler M, Rodicker E, Salucci V, Lu M, Aurisicchio L, Dahmen U, Jun L, Dirsch O, Putzer BM, Palombo E, Roggendorf M (2004) Helper-dependent adenoviral vector-mediated delivery of woodchuck-specific genes for alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma IFN-alpha but not IFN-gamma reduces woodchuck hepatitis virus replication in chronic infection in vivo, J Virol 78 10111-10121... 

Protzer U, Nassal M, Chiang PW, Kirschfink M, Schaller H (1999) Interferon gene transfer by a hepatitis B vims vector efficiently suppresses wild-type vims infection. Proc Natl Acad Sd USA 96 10818-10823... 

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