How does interferon beta-1a work?
Interferon beta-1a is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. It works by decreasing inflammation and preventing nerve damage that may cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
How is interferon beta-1a made?
Interferon beta-1a (Rebif) is a protein produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells into which the human interferon beta genes have been introduced.
What is the difference between interferon alpha and interferon beta?
There are three types of interferons (IFN), alpha, beta and gamma. IFN-alpha is produced in the leukocytes infected with virus, while IFN-beta is from fibroblasts infected with virus. IFN-gamma is induced by the stimulation of sensitized lymphocytes with antigen or non-sensitized lymphocytes with mitogens.
What is the function of interferon beta?
Interferon-beta reduces myeloid dendritic concentrations in peripheral blood. It also alters the function of dendritic cells and other APCs to downregulate antigen presentation and the ability of APCs to stimulate T-cell responses.
Where is interferon beta found?
Interferon beta 1a is a slightly different form of interferon beta that is produced in hamster cells using recombinant DNA technology. Beta interferon medications can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache, headache and chills.
How does interferon beta 1a works to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis?
Interferons are proteins produced naturally in the human body to help fight infections and regulate the immune system. Beta interferons have been shown to slow down activity and disease progression in multiple sclerosis. They do this by helping regulate the immune system, reducing attacks on myelin or nerves.
What is the difference between interferon 1a and 1b?
Interferon beta-1a (also interferon beta 1-alpha) is a cytokine in the interferon family used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). It is produced by mammalian cells, while interferon beta-1b is produced in modified E. coli.
Is interferon alpha a type 1 interferon?
Type I IFNs consist of a group of structurally similar cytokines and include 13–14 subtypes of IFN-α along with IFN-β, IFN-ε, IFN-κ, IFN-ω, IFN-δ, IFN-ζ, and IFN-τ (4, 5). As part of the innate immune antiviral response, these cytokines are rapidly produced after pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) stimulation (5).
Where does interferon beta come from?
IFN β is a type-1 IFN naturally produced by fibroblasts. It is encoded by a single IFN β gene on the short arm of chromosome 9.
Is interferon beta 1a an immunosuppressant?
IFNbeta-1a injections induce systemic and intrathecal immunosuppressive cytokines. Myelin-specific T cells treated with IFNbeta-1a demonstrate increased immunosuppressive cytokine expression and reduced encephalitogenicity.
How does interferon beta help MS?
How do beta interferons work? Your body makes its own interferons (a protein) to dampen down inflammation. These drugs are manmade versions. They can reduce (and might prevent) the inflammation that damages nerves in MS.
