The Viruses
Julius P. Kreier in Infection, Resistance, and Immunity, 2022
Interferons are a family of proteins produced by host cells in response to a variety of stimuli including viral infection. The formation of double stranded viral RNA within the infected cell induces the formation of interferons. Interferons may induce an antiviral state within many cells in the body. The production of interferons is a basic defense mechanism of animals against viral infections. There are three distinct types of interferons (alpha, beta, and gamma). Alpha and beta interferons bind to specific cell receptors and cause cells to produce proteins that have antiviral properties. For example, 2–5A synthetase causes the activation of nucleases that mediate degradation of viral RNAs. Gamma interferon, which is produced by leukocytes, causes the activation of macrophages and the production of antiviral cytokines which amplify the antiviral immune response.
Recent Developments in Therapies and Strategies Against COVID-19
Hanadi Talal Ahmedah, Muhammad Riaz, Sagheer Ahmed, Marius Alexandru Moga in The Covid-19 Pandemic, 2023
Interferons are the signaling proteins that are released in the body in response to the viral infections. IFN-I is a cytokine that is released after viral infection. It is immediately recognized as IFNAR receptors are present on the plasma membrane of most cells. Where it induces signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation. STAT1 in return activate ISG, which interfere with viral replication, spreading, and activating the adaptive immune response. ISGs has several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) for recognition of infectious agents. The ISGs has role in decreasing membrane fluidity, reducing the membrane fusion and the escape of the virus. ISGs also can prevent viral cycle at several steps because of some antiviral proteins [65].
SARS-CoV Infections in Humans
Sunit K. Singh in Human Respiratory Viral Infections, 2014
Interferons are important in the cellular immune responses to viral infections. No standardized therapeutic plans have been drafted. Experiences were limited to small studies using interferon a in some centers of China, in combining the use of interferons with immunoglobulins or thymosin. Using a consensus interferon, which shares 88% homology with interferon α-2b and about 30% homology with interferon β, beneficial effects were observed in a small Canadian series. Formal clinical trials for using interferons alone or in combination with other treatment modules have not been carried out, although encouraging results have seen in patients administered a combination of interferon a1 and corticosteroids regime.196,198
Dual role of ARPC1B in regulating the network between tumor-associated macrophages and tumor cells in glioblastoma
Published in OncoImmunology, 2022
Tianqi Liu, Chen Zhu, Xin Chen, Jianqi Wu, Gefei Guan, Cunyi Zou, Shuai Shen, Ling Chen, Peng Cheng, Wen Cheng, Anhua Wu
Interferons play a critical role in the immune system process and antitumour immune response. However, analysis of differentially expressed cytokines caused by ARPC1B knockdown in TAMs identified IFNγ as the mediator between glioma cells and TAMs. Moreover, IFNγ could reverse the decreased migration, invasion and EMT status of glioma cells induced by co-culture with ARPC1B-knockdown macrophages. IFNγ also promoted the EMT status in glioma cells. These findings indicate that IFNγ promotes the malignant phenotypes of glioma cells. Indeed, several studies have shown the tumor-promoting and EMT-enhancing role of IFNγ in tumor cells.43–45 We previously developed an interferon risk signature, which was confirmed to be an independent indicator for an unfavorable prognosis in glioma.19 Therefore, our results suggest that IFNγ facilitates the TAMs-GBM network based on ARPC1B to promote the malignancy of glioma cells.
Gender trend of monkeypox virus infection
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2023
Aliya Orassay, Ansal Diassova, Alan Berdigaliyev, Dongsheng Liu, Zhandaulet Makhmutova, Amr Amin, Yingqiu Xie
Poxviruses target host innate response pathways mediated by interferons and chemokines. They have the ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that regulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression. Several studies revealed the role of steroid hormones in the virulence of poxviridae which the MPXV belongs to. One study by Reading et al. (2003) showed that the Poxvirus A44L gene (which encodes the 3β-HSD enzyme) is responsible for steroid hormone production corresponding to the immunosuppression and associating with the virulence of the virus [19]. The deletion of this gene may elevate the levels of IFN-γ [19]. It is known that interferons activate the innate and adaptive immune response that would combat the viral infection. However, according to Harris et al. (2018), poxviruses have evolved to encode interferon-binding proteins that neutralize secreted interferon after binding, which prevents INFs from association with cell-surface IFNAR1, and IFNAR2 receptors [20].
The effect of antivirals on COVID-19: a systematic review
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2021
Nafisa Hussain, Anusha Yoganathan, Savini Hewage, Samiha Alom, Amer Harky
Lopinavir-ritonavir as a standalone treatment did not appear to be as effective, however, when used in conjunction with other agents it showed positive potential. The results of our study suggested that its use alongside interferons demonstrated better outcomes in patients. It is important to note that whilst its use alongside interferons does appear to be promising, patients were still at risk of adverse events compared to for instance the use of favipiravir in combination with interferons. Furthermore, studies that looked at the effect of lopinavir-ritonavir in combination with umifenovir, suggested that the use of lopinavir-ritonavir in combination with interferons and lopinavir-ritonavir alone was better than the use of lopinavir-ritonavir in combination with umifenovir. Similarly, the results of our review suggest further studies need to be carried out to look at the effectivity of using lopinavir-ritonavir alongside hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. With regards to the use of further antivirals in combination with varied treatment agents, our results suggested that hydroxychloroquine and methylprednisolone could potentially be used in combination with antivirals to reduce the duration of hospital stay and improve clinical outcomes but were again limited by the sample sizes of the studies included.
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