Other relevant areas of research regarding the structure and function of IFNs include the study of IFN fragments and hybrid IFN molecules prepared by recombinant DNA technology, and monoclonal antibodies against IFNs have also made major contributions to our knowledge of IFN structure and function. However, these topics have been addressed in a number of recent reviews (Zoon and Wetzel, 1984; Langer and Pestka, 1985). We are now awaiting the crystal structure of several human IFNs. Once this knowledge has been acquired, we can proceed to envisage at the three-dimensional level how these molecules interact with their receptors to produce their numerous biological activities.
Revue limitee aux effets de l'interferon sur les oncogenes cellulaires, avec analyse des RNAm ou des produits proteiques d'oncogenes apres traitement de cellules avec l'interferon
Interferon can inhibit tumour growth in experimental animals and in some patients with benign and malignant tumours. There is experimental evidence to suggest that several mechanisms may be involved: a direct effect on the tumor or an indirect effect via the host, or both. Thus, interferon may slow the rate of tumour cell multiplication and this may lead to cell death. Interferon may induce changes in the cell surface rendering tumour cells more sensitive to host defence mechanisms. Interferon may induce reversion in the phenotype of tumour cells. Interferon may stimulate specific and non-specific humoral and cellular host mechanisms. The relative importance of these different effects of interferon may vary depending on the host and the particular tumour.
