interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ˌän 

ˌin-tə-

: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoprotein cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by cells exposed usually to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (such as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals

Examples of interferon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some companies are developing nasal swabs that could be used to assess a child’s interferon response at the time of hospital admission. —David Cox, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024

Twelve months after starting hormone therapy, the participants showed a decrease in an immune response involving a protein called type I interferon, which the body uses to fight off viral infections. —Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2024

While that potential mechanism has not been thoroughly proven, researchers have found evidence that interferon activity may shift among people who experience flares following the COVID-19 vaccine. —Markham Heid, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024

Researchers found that in patients with lupus there is too much of a protein called interferon, which helps regulate the body’s response to bacteria or environmental pollutants. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

interfere + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing interferon

• alpha interferon
• beta interferon
• gamma interferon
• interferon alpha
• interferon beta
• interferon gamma

Kids Definition

interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän 

: any of a group of proteins produced by cells that keep viruses attacking the cells from multiplying

Medical Definition

interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän 

: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoproteins of low molecular weight that are produced usually by cells exposed to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals, and that include some used medically as antiviral or antineoplastic agents see alpha interferon, beta interferon, gamma interferon