Interferons: from molecular biology to man. Part 3. Interferons and disease.

The previous two articles described how the interferons (IFNs) bring about a number of specific molecular changes in the cell which result in functional alterations. IFN-treated cells enter an antiviral state which renders them resistant to a broad spectrum of viruses. They show enhanced differentiated behaviour, significant alterations in cell membrane proteins and slower progress through the cell cycle. This third (and final) article discusses the relevance of the IFN system to the whole animal, both as part of the natural defence against disease and as part of a new series of therapeutic agents collectively called biological response modifiers.