Immunologic Factor
interferon Audio
in·ter·fer·on [ in-ter-feer-on ]
Subclass of:
cytokine
Definitions related to interferons:
  • A group of proteins elaborated by infected host cells that protect noninfected cells from viral infection.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Proteins made by the body to protect against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful agents.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Proteins secreted by vertebrate cells in response to a wide variety of inducers. They confer resistance against many different viruses, inhibit proliferation of normal and malignant cells, impede multiplication of intracellular parasites, enhance macrophage and granulocyte phagocytosis, augment natural killer cell activity, and show several other immunomodulatory functions.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Interferon, any of several related proteins that are produced by the body's cells as a defensive response to viruses. They are important modulators of the immune response. Interferon was named for its ability to interfere with viral proliferation. The various forms of interferon are the body's most...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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