What is the function of IFN gamma?

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine critical to both innate and adaptive immunity, and functions as the primary activator of macrophages, in addition to stimulating natural killer cells and neutrophils.

What type of drug is pegylated interferon?

A covalent conjugate of recombinant interferon alpha and polyethylene glycol (PEG), used as an antiviral and antineoplastic agent. The biological activity of this agent is derived from its interferon alpha protein moiety.

Is IFN gamma type 1 or 2?

IFN-γ is a cytokine which binds to the type II IFN receptor, or the IFN-γ receptor(IFNGR), to elicit a signal within its target cell.

What cells does IFN-gamma activate?

Specifically, IFN-γ plays a major role in activating anticancer immunity, by promoting the activity of CD4 T helper type 1 cells, CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages, promoting the antigen presentation.

Which cells respond to IFN-gamma?

IFN‐γ is primarily secreted by activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and can promote macrophage activation, mediate antiviral and antibacterial immunity, enhance antigen presentation, orchestrate activation of the innate immune system, coordinate lymphocyte–endothelium interaction, regulate Th1/Th2 balance.

What is the difference between pegylated interferon and interferon?

Pegylated interferon, usually called peginterferon, is a chemically modified form of the standard interferon that treats hepatitis C and rarely hepatitis B. The difference between interferon and peginterferon is the PEG, which stands for a molecule called polyethylene glycol.

What are type 1 and type 2 interferons?

Type I and type II interferons (IFN) are central to both combating virus infection and modulating the antiviral immune response. Indeed, an absence of either the receptor for type I IFNs or IFN-y have resulted in increased susceptibility to virus infection, including increased virus replication and reduced survival.

What releases interferon-gamma?

Interferon-gamma is secreted predominantly by activated lymphocytes such as CD4 T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and CD8 cytotoxic T cells (23–26), γδ T cells (27–33), and natural killer (NK) cells (34, 35) and, to a less extent, by natural killer T cells (NKT), B cells (36–39), and professional antigen-presenting cells ( …