Question

What is the role of interferon in defense against disease?

Answer 1

Interferons are cytokines released by infected cells to signal and activate neighboring cells to fight against viral infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interferons play an important role in the defense against diseases, particularly viral infections. When a cell is infected with a virus, it releases interferons as a warning to nearby uninfected cells. These interferons signal the uninfected cells to destroy viral RNA and reduce protein synthesis, as well as induce apoptosis in infected cells. Additionally, interferons activate immune cells, such as macrophages, to help fight against the infection.

Answer 2

Interferon are small proteins (cytokines) that enhance the immune system and defense against viruses and bacterial infections.
Interferon stimulates the infected cells and those nearby to produce proteins. These proteins prevent the virus from replicating within them. Further production of the virus is inhibited and the infection is stemmed.
There are three types of interferon: gamma, alpha and beta. Alpha and beta can be produced from any cell, and gamma is produced only by natural killer cells and T lymphocytes. The main purpose of gamma interferon is to signal the immune system to respond to infectious agents or cancerous growth.