IFNG Functions

IFNG Functions

IFN (IFNG ELISA), or type II interferon, is a cytokine involved in innate and adaptive immunity to viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections. IFN is a key macrophage activator and inducer of major histocompatibility complex class II molecule production. A number of autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders are linked to abnormal IFN expression. IFN's importance in the immune system arises from its capacity to directly suppress virus replication, as well as its immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory properties. As part of the innate immune response, natural killer cells (NKC) and natural killer T cells (NKT) produce IFN, which is then produced by CD4 Th1 and CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector T cells once antigen-specific immunity develops. Non-cytotoxic innate lymphoid cells (ILC), a type of immune cell discovered in the early 2010s, also produce IFN gamma.

Clinical Significance of Interferon Gamma

Interferon- has been found to be an important component of the immune response to several intracellular infections, including Chagas disease. It has also been linked to the development of seborrheic dermatitis. The US Food and Drug Administration has licensed interferon-gamma 1b for the treatment of chronic granulomatous illness and osteopetrosis. Interferon-gamma has also been demonstrated to be successful in treating patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, despite the fact that it is not officially approved.