Gamma-interferon: the role and importance in the human body

To protect the human body from the damaging effect of pathogenic pathogens - viruses, the immune system has a mechanism that ensures the fight against infectious diseases. It is the production of cells, for example, T-lymphocytes, of special substances, one of which is gamma-interferon. Forming in the immune system, the compound plays the role of cellular defense. Why is it so important as it is formed, and by what principle does the integrity of our organism perform - these questions we will get answers in this article.

Chemical structure and production

The basis of the substance is a glycoprotein, a peptide bound to a carbohydrate. Biochemists isolated two of its forms, which differ in the amino acid composition of the first and 139 monomers in the polypeptide chain. They are called gamma-interferon 1a and 2a. The average molecular weight is about 20-25 kDa. Formed in response to the penetration of tissues and cells of pathogenic agents represented by viral particles. Under artificial conditions, the substance is obtained by methods of biotechnology and genetic engineering using strains of E. coli bacteria, the plasmid of which contains the human interferon gene. Such gamma-interferon is called recombinant, it is a part of preparations: "Immuneron", "Ingaron", "Immunomax".

Mechanism of immune reactions

The appearance in the body of foreign virulent pathogens is always accompanied by a system of protective processes, one of which is inflammation. It serves as a marker, signaling the onset of both the disease itself and the response of cells to the antigens of the pathogen. There is a complex of interactions between elements of the infected tissue or organ. It is based on substances produced by cells of the lymphoid tissue: cytokines (lymphokines). For example, human gamma interferon, interleukin 2, through membrane interactions, forces the cells not yet infected to begin the synthesis of antibodies, and, in fact, are signaling proteins. Let us consider them in more detail.

Properties of lymphokines

In 6 pairs of human chromosomes there is a locus containing a set of genes that carry information about the antigenic properties of the cytoplasmic membrane and other cellular organelles: nuclei, mitochondria, etc. The lymphokines themselves can not directly affect the antigens of viruses, but they quickly transmit information about the presence of foreign substances from one cell to another. For example, the receptor antigen of helper cells and T-lymphocytes TOR induces an intracellular signal, activating two special proteins. Later in the lymphoid tissue , the process of mitotic division - proliferation - is intensified, and cellular immunity increases significantly. Like other lymphokines, gamma interferon interferes with the processes of transcription of the viral nucleic acid, and also inhibits the mechanism of assembling the protein molecules of the pathogenic pathogen. It can be said that the protein compounds considered by us are the basis of humoral immunity.

How the immune system works

Thymus gland, lymph nodes, palatine tonsils, appendix are the places of formation of lymphocytes. Protective cells produce antibodies that inhibit the development of the infectious onset in the body. At the first stages of their development, cells of the immune system, called naive, can not track foreign antigens, bacteria and viruses. They must mature and become immune-competent - this occurs in the thymus. The body system, which produces both protective cells: macrophages, T-lymphocytes, killer cells, and various types of gamma-interferon, is controlled by higher cortical centers of the brain.

Her activities are also regulated by the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Psycho-emotional disorders, poor nutrition and bad habits reduce the immune responses of the body, especially often with chronic stress. Since the response of the body is the result of the action of all of its systems, any violation of homeostasis is fraught with immune malfunctions and impairment of health.

Antibodies to human gamma interferon

In medical practice, substances containing protective proteins obtained by immunization of animals with recombinant interferon are used as a preventive and therapeutic agent. The antibody molecules are precipitated from the blood serum, purified and used as an antiviral drug. It is able to enhance the activity of its own protective compounds of the body, for example, gamma globulins, as well as reduce the symptoms of respiratory infections: runny nose and nasal congestion, cough.

Therapeutic effect of interferon

The protective glycoprotein inhibits the multiplication of viruses and stimulates cell enzymes, for example, adenylate synthetase and protein kinase, which suppress the synthesis of nucleic acid and envelope proteins. The substance has the ability to influence the sensitivity of membrane cellular proteins to lymphokines, that is, it is an immunomodulator. Gamma interferon for children and adults is used to prevent and treat influenza and respiratory infections, with a positive sample for the presence of Koch's bacillus in the body. The medicine is available in the form of tablets, ointments, suppositories and injections.

The use of a medicinal product prescribed by a doctor can be started in children from 6 months, taking into account the absence of allergic reactions and serious pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Contraindication to the treatment of women is allergy and pregnancy. Modern preparations, especially used in pediatrics, contain a recombinant protective protein with a high degree of purification and complete absence of polypeptide fragments.