Gamma γ Interferons

Gamma γ Interferons

	Gamma γ Interferons When they are infected, cells of the immune system not only synthesize α, β interferon like any other cells, but also release γ interferon upon reaction of their antigen receptors with viral (or other foreign) antigens for which they have specificity. y interferon has anti viral properties like α and β interferons but is antigenic ally different and less stable at pH 2.
Its induction is not dependent upon the presence of dsRNA. y interferon is useful during infections by viruses which switch off host RNA and protein synthesis before α and β interferons can be made and may have a role in stimulating parts of the immune response, such as NK cells. However, clinical trials have not been encouraging for use of interferons in chemotherapy of viral infections. Experiments in man for common cold and other variety of viral infections including chronic hepatitis have been not successful. Effects of interferons on benign tumors on the body, larynx and genitalia caused by various papiloma viruses have also been studied.
The warts injected with interferon regress but they tend to recur when interferon is stopped. There has been hopes for use of interferons as anti-cancer agents as they are active in regulating cell division, and some tumors are, in conjuction with cofactors caused by viruses. Though promising results were obtained with virus associated cancers (hairy T cell leukaemia caused by HTLV II and Kaposi's sarcoma by cytomegalovirus) their anti cancer effects have not lived up to expectation

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