interferon
pronunciation
How to pronounce interferon in British English:
UK [ˌɪntəˈfɪərɒn]
How to pronounce interferon in American English:
US [ˌɪntərˈfɪrɑn]
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- Noun:
- an antiviral protein produced by cells that have been invaded by a virus; inhibits replication of the virus
Word Origin
- interferon (n.)
- 1957, coined in English, so called because it "interferes" with the reduplication of viruses. From interfere + subatomic particle suffix -on.
Example
- 1. These offer a big improvement over treatment based on injected interferon .
- 2. But in patients interferon failed to cure solid tumors , and melanoma responded only occasionally .
- 3. It prefers to infect cancer cells because they turn off the antiviral protein interferon and turn on signalling molecules that attractvaccinia .
- 4. Experiments showed interferon gamma , an immune protein secreted by lymphocytes , was responsible for activating b7-h1 , allowing tumors to escape immune-system attack .
- 5. Doctors can treat chronic cases with interferon and antiviral drugs . But these medicines cost too much for most of the world 's poor .