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An antiviral protein which might help in curing viral diseases in future is
Explanation
Interferons (IFNs) are a group of signaling proteins (cytokines) produced and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses [t1][t6]. They were named for their ability to 'interfere' with viral replication within host cells [t6]. Interferons act as the first line of defense against viral infections by inducing an intrinsic antiviral state in neighboring cells through the activation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) [t3][t6]. These proteins block viral transcription, degrade viral RNA, and inhibit translation [t3][t4]. While antibodies are part of the adaptive immune response, interferons are specific antiviral proteins that have become attractive therapeutic options for treating chronic infections like Hepatitis B and C [t5]. Ongoing research into their immunomodulatory roles and their potential in treating emerging threats like SARS-CoV-2 highlights their future clinical significance in curing viral diseases [t1][t6].
Sources
- [1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10298684/
- [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/nri2314
- [3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC89003/
- [4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4182113/