Larke R P
Can Med Assoc J. 1966 Jan 1;94(1):23-31.
Concepts regarding the nature and function of interferon have undergone considerable modification since its initial description in 1957. A low-molecular-weight protein, interferon has been produced by a variety of host cells following exposure not only to most viruses but also to bacterial cells and endotoxins, rickettsiae, nucleotides and a polyanionic polysaccharide (Statolon). Interferon production and activity require de novo synthesis of cellular RNA and protein, although interferon induced in vivo by endotoxins appears to involve release from a preformed state.The pathogenesis of primary viral infections may be determined largely by non-immune defence mechanisms. Interferon, detectable in the host's serum and associated with leukocytes during the course of viral illness, may make an important contribution to recovery. Low toxicity, weak antigenicity and wide range of antiviral activity make interferon an attractive therapeutic possibility. Stimulation of inherent interferon-producing mechanisms by administration of relatively innocuous agents may prove beneficial in humans.
自1957年首次被描述以来，关于干扰素的性质和功能的概念已经发生了相当大的变化。干扰素是一种低分子量蛋白质，多种宿主细胞在不仅接触大多数病毒，还接触细菌细胞和内毒素、立克次氏体、核苷酸和一种聚阴离子多糖（香菇多糖）后都会产生干扰素。干扰素的产生和活性需要细胞RNA和蛋白质的从头合成，尽管内毒素在体内诱导产生的干扰素似乎涉及从预先形成的状态释放。原发性病毒感染的发病机制可能在很大程度上由非免疫防御机制决定。在病毒疾病过程中，可在宿主血清中检测到并与白细胞相关的干扰素可能对康复做出重要贡献。低毒性、弱抗原性和广泛的抗病毒活性使干扰素成为一种有吸引力的治疗选择。通过给予相对无害的药物刺激内在的干扰素产生机制可能对人类有益。
