1] Interferon from 1981 to 1986

Abstract

Publisher Summary Radiolabeling of the interferons (IFNs) is a prerequisite for the studies of their binding and internalization. With the purification and cloning of the IFNs, various strategies for obtaining radiolabeled biologically active IFNs are employed. Radioiodination by several different methods has been the most versatile and common method used. The cloning of the sequences coding for the IFNs, and their expression in bacteria and other heterologous hosts has provided great impetus to IFN research. A large number of DNA sequences corresponding to the IFNs from various species have been isolated and identified. The human leukocyte interferons (IFN-αs) are the most extensive family so far characterized. A summary of the molecular weights and amino acid compositions of the human IFNs is presented. After DNA recombinants coding for the human interferons are obtained, these are used as probes to obtain the corresponding animal interferons in a variety of species. Known effects of interferons on cells have increased immensely with the availability of pure interferons of various types for research. Improved assays for measuring interferons through their antiviral or antiproliferative activity and with monoclonal antibodies have been developed. Effects on cellular differentiation, the expression of cell surface antigens, and cytotoxicity of cells have been reported in many different systems and species. With the need to develop extensive preclinical data prior to therapeutic use in humans, antitumor effects of the human IFNs on xenografts in athymic mice have provided useful and valuable data.