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An interferon is a chemical message made by a virus infected cell or sometimes made by that cell in response another type of intracellular parasite. They are even produced by tumor cells.
They are also called cytokines which are also produced by white blood cells, fibroblasts, or T-cells as a part of an immune response.

They are used for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that help eradicate pathogens.

They activate immune cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages and they increase host defenses by up-regulating antigen presentation by virtue of increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens.
This upgrading of MHC is like a tune up of the immune system.
Interferons were first described in 1957 by Alick Isaacs and Jean Lindenmann in the UK.

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one of a groups of proteins that help cells resist viral infection.
substances produced to help body cells resist viruses

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Q: What is the best definition for interferon?
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Which of these is the best definition for interferon?

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