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
See all Example Sentences for interferon 
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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
See all Example Sentences for interferon
Dictionary Entries Near interferon
Cite this Entry
“Interferon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interferon. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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