Interferon alpha

Interferon alpha (pronunciation: in-ter-FEER-on AL-fa) is a type of protein produced by the body's immune system in response to viral infection. It is also used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of certain diseases, including some types of cancer and hepatitis C.

Etymology

The term "interferon" was coined by Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindenmann in 1957. It is derived from the word "interfere", as the protein was found to "interfere" with viral replication. The "alpha" designation is used to differentiate this type of interferon from others, such as interferon beta and interferon gamma.

Function

Interferon alpha is part of the body's first line of defense against viral infections. It is produced by leukocytes and other cells in response to the presence of viruses. Once produced, interferon alpha binds to receptors on the surface of cells, triggering a series of reactions that lead to the production of proteins that inhibit viral replication.

Therapeutic use

Interferon alpha is used as a treatment for a number of diseases. It is most commonly used in the treatment of hepatitis C, a viral infection that affects the liver. It is also used in the treatment of some types of cancer, including melanoma, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Related terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Interferon alpha
Wikipedia's article - Interferon alpha

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Interferon alpha