Description
Relevance: IFNgamma is the major interferon produced by mitogenically or antigenically stimulated lymphocytes. It is structurally different from type I interferon and its major activity is immunoregulation. It has been implicated in the expression of class II histocompatibility antigens in cells that do not normally produce them, leading to autoimmune disease. Interferon gamma is produced mainly byT-cells and natural killer cells activated by antigens, mitogens, or alloantigens. It is produced by lymphocytes expressing the surface antigens CD4 and CD8. IFNgamma synthesis is induced by IL-2, FGF-basic, and EGF.
Function: Produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens. IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions. It is a potent activator of macrophages, it has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons