Interferons (IFN) belong to the family of cytokines and have been described first in the late 1950s as an inhibitory factor of viral replication. Since then, the impact of interferon has been greatly expanded and its function comprises a role not only in different types of infection, cancer and autoimmunity but importantly also in immunehomeostasis. IFN have important anti-viral effects but it is becoming more and more evident that they are true immunomodulators and have an important impact on the development and maintenance of innate and adaptive immunity.
In this research topic, we discuss the immunoregulatory mechanisms of IFN.
Potential topics may include but are not limited to the following areas:
• Evolution of interferons
• Functions of interferons in hematopoiesis
• Role of interferons at mucosal surfaces and immune homeostasis
• Role of interferon in viral and bacterial infections
• Regulation of innate and adaptive immune cell function
• Functions of interferon in metabolism
• Role of interferons in cancer and autoimmunity treatment
• Sources and target cell populations of interferons
• Signal transduction of interferons
• Cross-talk between interferon types
Interferons (IFN) belong to the family of cytokines and have been described first in the late 1950s as an inhibitory factor of viral replication. Since then, the impact of interferon has been greatly expanded and its function comprises a role not only in different types of infection, cancer and autoimmunity but importantly also in immunehomeostasis. IFN have important anti-viral effects but it is becoming more and more evident that they are true immunomodulators and have an important impact on the development and maintenance of innate and adaptive immunity.
In this research topic, we discuss the immunoregulatory mechanisms of IFN.
Potential topics may include but are not limited to the following areas:
• Evolution of interferons
• Functions of interferons in hematopoiesis
• Role of interferons at mucosal surfaces and immune homeostasis
• Role of interferon in viral and bacterial infections
• Regulation of innate and adaptive immune cell function
• Functions of interferon in metabolism
• Role of interferons in cancer and autoimmunity treatment
• Sources and target cell populations of interferons
• Signal transduction of interferons
• Cross-talk between interferon types