Ann. Méd. Vét., 2006, 150 (2), pp 73-107 Type I interferons and their antiviral functionLEROY M., DESMECHT D.Abstract :
Type I interferons are part of the
innate immune system involved in the first line defense against invasion, replication and spreading of pathogens such as viruses.
Through specific membrane or intracellular receptors, virus entry induces the expression of type I interferons which stimulates the cells through an autocrine and paracrine manner.
Interferons are polypeptides that
stimulate cells through membrane
receptors. They induce a cascade of events leading to the synthesis of many proteins some of which having specific antiviral properties. The most characterized are the MX proteins, the
2’5’ oligoadenylate synthetase/ ribonuclease L pathway and the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase R system.
Recently, the protein ISG20 has been involved in the specific antiviral function of type I interferons.
The interferons act on multiple
steps of the viral cycle including
penetration, decapsidation, mRNA transcription, protein synthesis, genome replication, assembling and excretion of viral particles. Nowadays, due to their
major efficiency, type I interferons are used in therapeutics against some viral infections and cancers. Get the PDF Contact person : daniel.desmecht@ulg.ac.be |