Immunomodulators recombinant cytokines

This book attempts to provide a synopsis of the most important research results to date in the field of immunomodulators of plant origin. It is also intended to offer suggestions and to provide a scientific basis for further research, which has become ever more urgent since recombinant cytokines have yet to fulfill their promise as effective immunotherapeutic agents. 

Interferons (IFNs) are extremely potent cytokines that pos-se.ss antiviral, immunomodulating. and antiproliferative actions.- IFNs are synthesized by infected cells in response to various inducers (Fig. I l-l) and. in turn, elicit either an antiviral stale in neighboring cells or a natural killer cell response that destroys the initially infected cell (Fig. 11-2). There are three classes of human IFNs that possess signifi-ctinl aniiviral activity. Tlicsc are IFN-a (mote than 20 subtypes). IFN-/J(2 subtypes), and IFN-y. IFN- is used clini-eally in a rcconibinani fonn (called interferon alfa). IFN-fi (Betaseron) is a recombinant form marketed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. 

MW c. 14,000 kD. It is a recombinant version of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, a CYTOKINE RECEPTOR AGONIST, and acts as a haemopoietic agent and IMMUNOMODULATOR. See also colony-stimulating factors. 

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