Define Interferons - Humoral Mechanisms

Interferons are soluble proteins secreted naturally when cells become infected by foreign bodies. Infected lymphocytes release interferons alpha that is one out of the 14 sub kinds known. Other cell types when infected by some viruses release interferon beta. These interferons are released into extra cellular fluids, where they diffuse to form a protective ring of un-infectable cells, thereby limiting the spread of infection. Besides this, they inhibit protein synthesis by interfering with the process of translation and promote degradation of mRNA. Since viruses depend partly on nucleic acids of the host for protein synthesis, interferons have a marked inhibitory effect on the replication of viruses.