Review on Interferon beta: from cells to clinical usage

Introduction: Interferon (IFN) was first introduced by Isaacs and Linddeman in 1957. It referred to a factor that could cause inhibition in the growth of the live influenza virus. Interferons are intracellular proteins that are involved in many cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, metabolism of the extracellular matrix, apoptosis, and regulating immune responses. There are different intereferones. Amog them, interferons-beta (IFN-β) is a natural cytokine produced by immune cells in response to biological and chemical stimuli. Signal transduction of IFN-β is initiated throughout a heterodimeric receptor complex that is composed of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2; which leads to expression of various proteins via the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway as well as other pathways. In addition to antiviral effects of IFN-β, it has been shown to have therapeutic effects in some autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It has recently been shown that the use of IFN-β in combination with other antiviral compounds may be effective in treatment of Covid-19. In this review the various topics about IFN-β are investigated such as signalling pathways, biological functions, therapeutic effects, and side effects of IFN-β therapy.