Interferons are the antiviral early inflammatory proteins produced in the
cells in response to the infectious agents. The characterization of the
interferon genes, their expression, and their function was advanced with the development of novel techniques in molecular and cellular biology. Using genetically modified mice revealed the critical role of the
interferons in innate and acquired immune response. The critical steps and discovery that lead to the understanding of the
interferon system and its role in the antiviral
immune response are summarized in this chapter.
Relevant Topics in General Science
