Search results for "IFN-a"
showing 2 items of 2 documents
Oxidative stress inhibits IFN-α-induced antiviral gene expression by blocking the JAK–STAT pathway
2006
Abstract BACKGROUND/AIMS: Unresponsiveness to IFN-alpha is common in chronic hepatitis C. Since conditions associated with an increased oxidative stress (advanced age, steatosis, fibrosis, iron overload, and alcohol consumption) reduce the likelihood of response, we hypothesized that oxidative stress may affect the antiviral actions of IFN-alpha. METHODS: We examined in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Huh-7) the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a generator of oxidative stress, on the IFN-alpha signaling pathway. RESULTS: Pretreatment of Huh-7 cells with 0.5-1 mM H2O2 resulted in the suppression of the IFN-alpha-induced antiviral protein MxA and of IRF-9 mRNA expression. Th…
Interferon α interferes with immunological tolerance.
2013
The ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to promote immunological tolerance represents an important obstacle in cancer immunotherapy. We have recently discovered that the clinically established immunotherapeutic agent interferon α (IFNα) inactivates the suppressive functions of human Tregs. Here, we outline the mechanisms whereby IFNα mediates this important function and discuss its therapeutic implications for cancer immunotherapy.