Characteristics of antiviral agents interferons. Functions of interferon (IFN) Alpha interferon is produced

On the eve of the arrival of autumn, the first cold snaps and slush, as well as the accompanying viral colds and epidemics, we want to remind you about interferons and try together with you to determine how we will strengthen our immunity. Today it is necessary to develop a strategy, following which we will increase our body’s resistance and protect ourselves from colds. It is necessary to decide whether we choose immunity-boosting tablets with interferon or those containing all the necessary components and stimulating the body’s own production of interferon.

What are interferons?

These are groups that are released by the cells of all living organisms without exception, as a response to the entry of a virus into it. What do interferon proteins do? They seem to block a cell infected with a virus and fence it off from healthy ones; through complex syntheses, they force the diseased cell to produce substances that prevent the virus from multiplying and spreading throughout the cells. And healthy cells are stimulated to produce hormones that increase resistance and immunity. It follows from this: the body needs interferon to fight the virus and enter the active phase of the immune system. There are advertised Interferon tablets, they really significantly increase immunity, but they have a lot of side effects, and serious ones. These include cardiovascular problems, intestinal disorders, disruptions of the nervous and central systems, bleeding and a whole bunch of other risks. In addition to the side effects, the body very quickly gets used to interferon in tablets and, having gotten used to the “easy life”, turns off the function of self-production of protein interferons, which significantly reduces the body’s ability to resist viruses and bacteria.

Interferon can only be taken as a course, one tablet does not play a role. No more than two courses are conducted per year. What should the body do the rest of the time with the function of producing its own interferon turned off? Just get sick. Therefore, people taking interferon tablets very often successfully go through the period of mass epidemics and get sick when everyone is already healthy and the weather is not conducive to illness. Their body, left without interferon, is unable to fight the slightest foreign cells and viruses. Some doctors claim that interferon is useless if it has already begun and its use must be interrupted and continued after recovery. Others, in the old fashioned way, prescribe it to patients so that interferon can drive the virus out of the body. Still others call it a placebo and call for stimulating the production of one’s own interferon, increasing immunity in time-tested ways: hardening, and natural ingredients that increase the body’s resistance.
Interferon is essentially an immunostimulant. What diseases can the use of it and other immunostimulants lead to in the future? Especially since caring parents are the first to “protect” them from colds with the help of immunostimulating medications, without a prescription.

• all types of bronchial asthma of allergic origin.
• rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain.
• vitiligo.
• diabetes mellitus on insulin.
• autoimmune hepatitis.
• oncological diseases.
• pernicious anemia.

You expose yourself to all these risks by taking immunostimulating drugs, or they could simply include in the menu products that stimulate increased immunity, such as: fresh onions, white cabbage, honey, white radish, horseradish, beets and rosehip decoctions. To increase immunity, the body needs zinc; there is a lot of it in beans, peas, and buckwheat. Black currants, carrots and bell peppers are rich in zinc. Selenium, necessary for the body's production of antibodies, is found in hawthorn, medicinal chamomile, coltsfoot and Chinese lemongrass. What's stopping you from brewing tea? For the body to produce antibodies, cells need magnesium; there is enough of it in broccoli, corn, buckwheat, wheat, barley and oatmeal. Walnuts, hazelnuts, barley and cauliflower are rich in magnesium. The cause may be nervous exhaustion of the body during the depressive autumn period. Teas made from linden blossom, oregano, St. John's wort, lemon balm, lungwort and hops, both individually and in combinations, will help you calm down and boost your immunity. The most delicious and healthy natural immunostimulant is natural honey. It is a record holder, containing vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, K and C, provitamin A - carotene, folic acid, a lot of microelements iron, beryllium, potassium, boron, calcium, nickel, zinc, lithium, manganese, phosphorus and many others. If you are not allergic to honey, there is nothing to look for another immunostimulant, eat a tablespoon three times a day and you will not be afraid of viruses, children from one year old can take a teaspoon a day. The most famous immunostimulant is propolis, a brown-green sticky composition collected by bees; prepare a tincture from it and drink a spoonful morning and evening.

We introduced you to all the pros and cons of immunostimulants in tablets, the side effects of which you can read for yourself in the instructions included with them in the packs. Believe me, this is not an empty phrase; in addition, taking immunostimulants causes an increase in the number of disarmed cells in the body - it loses the ability to resist. In addition to interferon, immunostimulating drugs include Viferon, Anaferon, Arbidol, Lykopid, Bronchomunal, Imudon, Cycloferon, Thymogen and a whole list of preventive tablets that are actively advertised and offered to us in the pharmacy with the first rains. It’s your choice to take pills or replace them with honey, we just wish you not to get sick!

Interferons (lat. inter- between, mutually and ferens- carrier, transporter) - three classes (alpha-, beta- and gamma-interferons) of specific proteins formed in individual cells (B- and T-lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts) of animal organisms, most of which (alpha- and beta- interferon) has a strong nonspecific antiviral activity due to the ability to turn on protective cellular mechanisms that impede the reproduction of viruses. Gamma interferons are cytokines with multiple effects on different cells of the immune system, in particular, they are involved in resolving the ratio of humoral and cellular immune responses. There are over two dozen interferon genes in the human genome. According to the mechanism of action, interferons are fundamentally different from antibodies: they are not specific to viral infections (they act against different viruses), they do not neutralize the infectivity of the virus, but inhibit its reproduction in the body, acting on infected cells and suppressing the synthesis of viral nucleic acids. Typically, interferons are maximally active only in the cells of the animal species from which they are obtained. Of diagnostic value is identifying the level of interferons in the blood serum and determining the ability of peripheral blood leukocytes to produce various types of interferons in response to an activating signal (viral particles or immunomodulators). This type of study is called “interferon status”. Using its parameters, it is possible to determine the patient’s individual sensitivity to a particular drug (interferon inducer, immunomodulator) to predict the effectiveness of treatment. The first interferon was discovered by A. Isaacs and J. Lindeman in 1957.

Interferons not only have antiviral activity - the sign for which they were discovered - but also take a diverse role in the regulation of the immune response. Interferons, as a system as a whole, have a broader biological effect than limiting viral infection.

Some of these proteins are transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of gene expression, including IFN genes [Harada H. et al., 1994], which leads to the formation of a complex gene network that regulates the functioning of the IFN system, i.e. systems for regulating the processes of induction and action of IFN.

Depending on the antigenic and physicochemical characteristics, the method of induction, effectiveness and mechanisms of action, IFNs are divided into two types:

Type I IFNs (alpha, beta, omega and tau) are produced and secreted by most cells in response to viruses or dsRNA [Pitha P.M. et al., 1995, Hiscott J. et al., 1995]. Type I IFN inducers are also bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. IFN-alpha is synthesized mainly by leukocytes and monocytes, and IFN-beta by fibroblasts [Pitha P.M. et al., 1995, Hiscott J. et al., 1995]. Leukocyte IF-alpha is encoded in humans by a family of genes (approximately 20) located on chromosome 9; fibroblast IF-beta - the only gene also located on chromosome 9; immune IF-gamma is also encoded by a single gene, but located on chromosome 12. The human genome contains one active

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk and writing about interferons. Sometimes they are credited with the healing properties of a panacea for various diseases, and sometimes they are considered an unconfirmed fantasy of people of science. Let's figure out what such drugs are, whether it is necessary and whether it is even possible to be treated with them.

Interferons are substances that are protein in nature and have protective mechanisms. They are released by body cells when pathogenic viruses invade it. It is these proteins that are a kind of natural barrier that stops the virus from entering the body.

Who and when was Interferon discovered?

“Interferon” was discovered in 1957 by the British virologist A. Isaac and his Swiss colleague Dr. D. Lindeman, who conducted experiments on laboratory mice that were infected with viral diseases. During these experiments, the scientist and his colleague noticed a strange pattern in that mice that were already sick with one type of virus did not become infected with other viruses. Later this phenomenon was called interference (in other words, natural defense). Actually, the name interferons comes from this word.

Subsequently, interferons, which are produced by the human body, were divided into groups. They are classified according to the type of cells secreted by interferons. This article will review the instructions for use for Interferon. Price and reviews will also be provided.

Varieties

So, the following types are distinguished:

• Alpha interferon, according to experts, is produced by leukocytes; it is also called leukocyte.
• Interferon beta is produced by fibroblasts (connective tissue cells); it is also called fibroblastic.
• Interferon gamma is synthesized by natural killer cells, macrophages and lymphocytes; it is also called immune.

Interferon of the alpha group is mainly used in medical activities. It is used to treat viral diseases of various natures. It is known that beta group interferons are currently used in modern therapy for multiple sclerosis. Many people are interested in the instructions for use and reviews of the drug “Interferon”.

Interferons and their principle of action

When pathogenic viruses enter the body, they begin to actively reproduce. The cellular structure affected by these viruses begins to synthesize interferons, which begin to act inside the cell, and then leave it and transmit information to neighboring cells. Unfortunately, interferon cannot completely destroy viruses; its mechanism of action is based on preventing the movement and active reproduction of viral particles.

According to reviews, Interferon is an excellent drug. It has the following mechanism of action:

• actively inhibits the processes of reproduction of viral particles;
• activates the cellular enzymes ribonuclease-L and protein kinase-R, which delay the synthesis of viral proteins, and also separate RNA into parts in cells (including in viral cells);
• activates the production of the p53 protein, which causes the death of the infected cell.

In addition to their inhibitory effect on the reproduction of viral particles, interferons activate the body's immune responses. This activation of cell enzymes leads to stimulation of protective blood cells (macrophages, T-helper cells, killer cells).

Interferons are very aggressive and active. Often, just one particle can make a cell more resistant to the effects of viral bodies, as well as reduce their reproduction by 50%.

Interferons also have a concomitant effect of suppressing cancer cells.

According to reviews, doctors often prescribe Interferon for the nose of children during colds.

How do they get it?

The following methods are used to obtain interferons:

• Infection with safe strains of viruses of human lymphocytes and leukocytes. After this, the cells begin to secrete interferon, which is subjected to various technological processing methods and ultimately turned into a form of medicine.
• A recombinant method in which bacteria containing the interferon genome in their DNA are grown artificially.

Thanks to the information described above, the following forms of interferon can be distinguished:

• Lymphoblastoid interferons are obtained from natural materials.
• Recombinant interferons are synthetic analogues of human interferons.
• Pegylated interferons are released together with polyethylene glycol, which allows interferons to act longer. This species has enhanced medicinal properties.

Indications for use

The result of treatment with Interferon will depend on how early therapy was started.

According to reviews, Interferon is prescribed in complex therapy for the treatment of influenza, viral hepatitis, ARVI, multiple sclerosis, herpetic diseases, as well as for immunodeficiency conditions and malignant neoplasms.

Dosage forms

The most optimal way to administer interferons is parenteral (intramuscular injections), because they have a protein structure that is destroyed in the digestive tract. With this method of administration, the drugs have maximum effect and are almost completely absorbed by the body. The drug is distributed unequally throughout the tissues. Low concentrations of interferons are observed in the tissues of the organs of vision and nervous system. These drugs are excreted by the kidneys and liver.

The most commonly used are Interferon in the form of suppositories, Interferon nasal drops (according to reviews, they are very popular) and an injection solution.

Side effects during treatment

At the beginning of treatment with interferons, the following adverse reactions may occur:

• a slight increase in human body temperature;
• painful sensations in the eyeballs and muscles of the body;
• a feeling of weakness and heaviness in the body, as well as a feeling of weakness.

This is confirmed by the instructions and reviews for Interferon. The price will be indicated below.

In the later stages of treatment, the following occurs:

• decrease in hemoglobin, red blood cells and platelets;
• low mood, sleep disturbances, headaches, convulsive twitching, problems of consciousness and dizziness;
• vision problems caused by poor circulation in the vessels of the eye muscles and surrounding tissues;
• cerebral circulatory disorders;
• decreased blood pressure, the appearance of cardiac arrhythmia, sometimes the use of the drug can lead to the development of myocardial infarction;
• pneumonia, various forms of cough with shortness of breath, and respiratory arrest was also recorded;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• skin rashes;
• lack of appetite, accompanied by an unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, sometimes the use of the drug provokes bleeding of the digestive tract;
• In rare cases, hair loss is observed.

How is interferon beta effective? We'll look at the reviews below.

What interferon preparations are currently used?

The modern drug market produces a wide range of interferons:

Lymphoblastoid:

• "Reaferon" is used for viral hepatitis, leukemia, malignant tumors in the kidneys and condylomatosis.
• "Wellferon" is similar in action to "Reaferon". Prescribed for tumor and viral pathologies.

Recombinant interferons:

• "Roferon".
• "Viferon".
• "Laferobion".
• "Realdiron."
• "Genferon."
• "Grippferon".
• "Ingaron".

Almost all recombinant drugs are used to treat viral diseases; they are also prescribed in the complex therapy of cancer, herpes zoster, herpetic infections and multiple sclerosis.

The above-described drugs are produced in the forms of solutions for injections, drops for the eyes and nose, and ointments.

"Interferon" in the nose, according to reviews, can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Contraindications for use

Interferons cannot be used for certain diseases and conditions. These include:

• convulsive conditions and severe mental illnesses;
• circulatory disorders of any nature;
• diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems;
• liver dysfunction occurring in a chronic form;
• severe forms of diabetes mellitus.

This is confirmed by the instructions and reviews for Interferon.

Interferons can be used during pregnancy and lactation only if necessary after consulting your doctor.

Features of use in childhood

“Interferon” (drops), according to reviews, is prohibited for use in children under one year of age. For older ages, medications are selected strictly individually, based on the age, condition and illness of the child.

Interferon inducers

Inducers include drugs that are not interferons, but are capable of stimulating the synthesis of interferon itself.

These inducers began to be developed back in the 70s of the last century, but then they were not included in therapeutic practice due to high toxicity and low efficiency rates, which led to severe adverse reactions. In modern medical practice, these problems have practically been resolved, and interferon inducers have taken their worthy niche.

There are two types of interferon inducers: naturally occurring and synthetic.

To date, more than a dozen such drugs have been developed that have a low antigenic property, which has expanded their range of applications.

The most commonly used interferon inducers are:

• "Amiksin" is the very first drug in this group. It is produced in the form of tablets that have a long-lasting effect. It is able to penetrate the tissues of the intestines, brain and liver, which makes it possible to use it for diseases of various natures. Costs about 500 rubles.
• "Neovir" is capable of activating natural killer cells. It is produced in the form of an injection solution. Most often prescribed for influenza, viral hepatitis and malignant tumors. Price - 400 rub.
• "Cycloferon" is able to enhance the synthesis of all types of interferon in the body. It is produced in the form of a soluble powder or in ampoules for injection. Used to treat viral inflammation of the liver, herpetic rashes, tick-borne encephalitis, cytomegalovirus. The cost is approximately 200 rubles.
• "Poludan" is used in ophthalmology. It is prescribed for eye diseases of herpetic nature. Price - 150-250 rub.
• "Kagocel" affects primarily the spleen, blood, kidneys, liver and organs that contain lymphoid tissue. This uniqueness allows it to be prescribed for viral lesions of a local nature. Costs approximately 270 rubles.

Price and reviews about "Interferon"

The cost of Interferon in ampoules is 71-85 rubles. "Interferon beta" 1a and 1b costs from 13 to 28 thousand rubles in Russia.

For nasal drops, the price starts at 187 rubles.

Candles for children - from 300 rubles. The cost of Interferon alfa and Ribavirin varies greatly.

Interferons are natural protein compounds that are synthesized by immune cells and perform a number of protective functions aimed at maintaining homeostasis (constancy of the internal environment of the body). One of these functions is antiviral action. Interferons are the main structural component of a group of modern antiviral agents with a wide spectrum of activity.

Interferons were discovered in 1957 by British scientist Isaac during laboratory experiments on mice. He noticed that mice that had recovered from a viral infectious pathology became immune to infection by the same virus. He called this phenomenon interference (natural immunity), and the compounds that provided immune protection were interferons.

Kinds

Depending on the type of immune cells that produce interferons, they have been divided into 3 main groups:

• Type alpha - produced by leukocytes.
• Type beta - produced by connective tissue cells.
• Type-gamma - synthesized by cells of the immune system, macrophages, natural killer cells (a type of lymphocyte).

Interferon-alpha is mainly used to create antiviral drugs, since it has the greatest activity against viruses. Also at the clinical research stage is the development of drugs based on interferon-beta, which has a positive effect on the course of multiple sclerosis (a chronic autoimmune pathology characterized by damage to the myelin sheaths of the structures of the nervous system).

Mechanism of action

Types of drugs based on interferons

In modern pharmacology, 3 types of medicinal compounds have been developed, which differ in the technology for obtaining the molecule, as well as the duration of the therapeutic effect:

• Lymphoblastoid - natural interferons that are obtained from lymphocytes, the main representative is human leukocyte interferon-alpha, Reaferon.
• Recombinant - obtained using genetic engineering, these compounds are synthetic analogues of natural interferons (Laferon, Laferobion, Genferon, Ingaron, Realdiron, Grippnephron).
• PEGylated - are also a synthetic analogue, but the main difference is that the interferon molecule is adsorbed on polyethylene glycol, due to this the duration of the therapeutic effect of the drug increases significantly (Pegasys, Pegintron).

Today, the most expensive drugs are pegylated interferons, since a course of therapy for an infectious viral disease requires a smaller amount of the drug and a smaller frequency of administration.

When to apply

The main medical indication for the use of interferons is the treatment of viral infectious diseases caused by viruses sensitive to this compound:

Also today, these drugs are actively used to maintain the functional activity of the immune system in various immunodeficiencies, including HIV/AIDS, as well as to destroy foreign cells during the development of the oncological process. In pediatrics, interferons can be used for complicated measles in a child.

In modern pharmacology, drugs based on leukocyte interferons are practically not manufactured. This is due to the rather high cost of production and the low stability of the resulting compound.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that interferons are natural compounds, they have a pronounced effect on other organs and systems, therefore there are a number of contraindications for their use:

• Severe mental pathology.
• Predisposition to the development of seizures, a history of epilepsy.
• Various hematological disorders accompanied by changes in the peripheral blood picture.
• Severe pathology of the respiratory or cardiovascular system in the stage of decompensation.
• Severe liver pathology, accompanied by a significant decrease in its functional activity, cirrhosis (replacement of liver cells with connective tissue, which is a common consequence of a long course of viral hepatitis).
• Decompensated carbohydrate metabolism disorder in severe diabetes mellitus.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, these drugs are prescribed only for strict medical reasons, if the expected benefit to the mother significantly outweighs the possible risks to the developing fetus or infant. Before prescribing interferons, the attending physician must conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient and exclude the presence of possible contraindications.

Negative reactions

Interferons affect not only the functional state of the immune system, but also the functioning of other organs, therefore, already at the beginning of the course of therapy they can lead to pain in the muscles (myalgia), eyes, heaviness in the eyes. body, general weakness, a feeling of exhaustion, a slight increase in temperature, usually to low-grade levels. In the future, these signs may disappear on their own. With long-term use of antiviral drugs of this group, more pronounced side effects may develop, which include:

• Hematological changes, accompanied by a decrease in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets. Abnormal forms of blood cells may also appear.
• Changes in the nervous system, including loss of mood, sleep disturbances, convulsive twitching of certain groups of skeletal muscles, changes in consciousness, headaches, periodic dizziness.
• Transient disturbances of blood flow in the brain such as ischemia.
• Deterioration of vision caused by impaired blood flow in the retina.
• Cough of various types, shortness of breath, pneumonia (pneumonia). A single case of respiratory arrest in a patient due to the use of these antiviral drugs is described.
• Disturbance in the rhythm of heart contractions (arrhythmia), decreased blood pressure (hypotension), and less commonly, myocardial infarction (death of a section of the heart muscle) may develop.
• A pathological disorder of the functional state of the thyroid gland, often accompanied by a decrease in the production of its hormones.
• The appearance of skin rashes.
• Decreased appetite, nausea with periodic vomiting, changes in taste sensations, and less often, gastrointestinal bleeding may develop.
• Increased activity of liver transaminase enzymes in the blood, which indicates damage to hepatocytes (liver cells).
• Alopecia (hair loss) has been reported in rare cases.

Since all negative pathological reactions that develop during a course of interferon therapy are quite severe, when they occur, the possibility of further use of the drug is determined only by a doctor on an individual basis.

Interferons are becoming increasingly widespread today. They are available in several basic dosage forms, which include suppositories (suppositories), nasal drops, and a solution for parenteral (intramuscular) administration.

Details 08/19/2015

Interferon- a natural protein that blocks the spread of the virus by suppressing the synthesis of viral envelope proteins, as well as the synthesis of viral RNA. The antiviral effect of interferons is based on the activation of the intracellular enzymes protein kinase and adenylate synthetase. Protein kinase inhibits the synthesis of viral proteins; adenylate synthetase helps “cut” the RNA of the virus.

Interferons play a significant role in ensuring the functioning of the immune system. However, often the body does not synthesize enough of them to overcome a severe infection. In addition, interferons begin to be produced only after the virus enters the body. Therefore, for the prevention and treatment of influenza, medications are prescribed to support the immune system: interferons or drugs that stimulate the body’s production of its own interferons are introduced into the body in various ways.

Interferon is an important protective protein of the immune system. Discovered during the study of virus interference, i.e., the phenomenon when animals or cell cultures infected with one virus became insensitive to infection by another virus. It turned out that the interference is due to the resulting protein, which has protective antiviral properties. This protein was called interferon.

Interferon is a family of glycoprotein proteins that are synthesized by cells of the immune system and connective tissue. Depending on which cells synthesize interferon, there are three types: α, β and γ-interferons.

Alpha interferon is produced by white blood cells and is called leukocyte; beta interferon is called fibroblastic, since it is synthesized by fibroblasts - connective tissue cells, and gamma interferon is called immune, since it is produced by activated T lymphocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells, i.e. immune cells.

Interferon is constantly synthesized in the body, and its concentration in the blood is maintained at approximately 2 IU/ml (1 international unit - IU - is the amount of interferon that protects a cell culture from 1 CPD 50 of the virus). The production of interferon increases sharply during infection with viruses, as well as when exposed to interferon inducers, such as RNA, DNA, and complex polymers. Such interferon inducers are called interferonogens.

In addition to the antiviral effect, interferon has antitumor protection, as it delays the proliferation (reproduction) of tumor cells, as well as immunomodulatory activity, stimulating phagocytosis, natural killer cells, regulating antibody formation by B cells, activating the expression of the major histocompatibility complex.

The mechanism of action of interferon is complex. Interferon does not directly affect the virus outside the cell, but binds to special cell receptors and affects the process of virus reproduction inside the cell at the stage of protein synthesis.

Interferon use

The action of interferon is more effective the earlier it begins to be synthesized or enter the body from the outside. Therefore, it is used for prophylactic purposes for many viral infections, such as influenza, as well as for therapeutic purposes in chronic viral infections, such as parenteral hepatitis (B, C, D), herpes, multiple sclerosis, etc. Interferon gives positive results in the treatment of malignant tumors and diseases associated with immunodeficiencies.

Interferons are species specific, i.e. human interferon is less effective for animals and vice versa. However, this species specificity is relative.

Receiving interferon

Interferon is obtained in two ways:

a) by infecting human leukocytes or lymphocytes with a safe virus, as a result of which the infected cells synthesize interferon, which is then isolated and interferon preparations are constructed from it;

b) genetically engineered - by growing recombinant strains of bacteria capable of producing interferon under production conditions.

Typically, recombinant strains of pseudomonas and Escherichia coli with interferon genes built into their DNA are used. Interferon obtained by genetic engineering is called recombinant.

Interferon inducers

Interferon inducers are drugs that stimulate the body's production of its own interferons. In terms of allergenicity, interferon inducers are safer, since the body, thanks to the administration of these drugs, produces its own interferon proteins rather than receiving foreign ones. This means that such interferon does not have antigenicity - the risk of allergic reactions is minimized. However, interferon inducers should not be used uncontrolled, as they are fraught with side effects. Interferon inducers can be used in combination with drugs from other groups - antiviral, anti-inflammatory, etc.