Plants rely heavily on an adaptive RNA degradation system mediated by an RNA interference mechanism to combat viral infection, whereas mammals fight infection with specific antibodies and lymphocytes that are adapted to specific viral antigens, and also employ nonadaptive defenses, such as production of interferons (IFNs) that block viral replication and stimulate the host immune response. Ther...

Physicochemioal investigations of the last years have shown that the interferons represent a very heterogenous class of molecules. Differences are not only related to the molecular weights but also to the isoelectric behaviour. Electrofocusing demonstrated that depending on the cellular origin even interferon of one species as chick interferon 1 , interferons of mouse2, rabb i t 2 4 and human c...

Antiviral interferon activity in any one species can be exhibited by a variety of substances that differ in their physical and chemical properties, but the nature of these differences is not understood. Conditions that can lead to the formation of diverse types of interferons have been outlined. Reasons have been adduced why, for certain purposes, purification of interferons is desirable or eve...

Interferons alpha and beta have been used worldwide for a few decades, altering the natural history of several severe diseases including hepatitis C, cancer and immune-mediated conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The adverse events profile of interferons is well established, but only isolated reports of ophthalmological complications of interferon therapy have been published. The objective o...

The introduction of interferon beta therapies more than 20 years ago marked a milestone in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with a significant impact on the approach to modern multiple sclerosis (MS) care. Key learnings and perspectives from the early days of disease modifying therapies in MS have improved the knowledge base of MS, need for treatment, and patient c...

Recent studies suggest a mechanistic role for molecules induced by type 1 interferons in the pathogenesis of some forms of myositis. For dermatomyositis, evidence that these molecules injure myofibers seems especially strong. In the group of disorders known as polymyositis, the study of blood samples suggests a potential role. It is unknown what drives the sustained presence of type 1 interfero...

Type I interferons are pleiotropic cytokines with antiviral, antitumor and immunoregulatory functions. An aspect of their complex biology is the paradox that, depending on context, type I interferons can be anti-inflammatory and tissue protective or can be proinflammatory and promote autoimmunity. Along these lines, the activation of type I interferon pathways is effective in suppressing diseas...