English
General description
IFN β (interferon β) is from the type 1 interferon family of cytokines.[1]
Interferon β (IFN-β) possesses a signal peptide region. It has comparatively more hydrophobic residues and displays 30% homology with IFN-α.[2]
The gene encoding interferon β (Infb1) is localized on mouse chromosome 4.[3]
Application
Interferon β from mouse has been used:
to induce the activation of cholesterol 25-hydroxylase, by in vitro stimulation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, dendritic cells and CD11c+ lung macrophages[4]
to stimulate splenocytes, in order to study the secretion and regulation of IFN-γ [5]
to intranasally pre-treat neonatal mice, to study its effects on the protective actions of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)[6]
as a standard to treat MEF-Mx2-luc-BKO reporter cell line for IFN-β measurement, in response to human adenovirus-5 (HAdV-C5)[7]
Interferon β from mouse has been used:
in the stimulation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs)[4]
as a cytokine to stimulate differentiation of podocytes[8]
to stimulate splenocytes[9]
Biochem/physiol Actions
Cytokine with anti-viral, anti-proliferative, immunoregulatory, and proinflammatory activities.
In presence of virus infection, IFN β (interferon β) is upregulated and plays a crucial role in innate antiviral response.[10] It is also important for anti-inflammatory effects.[1]
Interferon β (IFN-β) suppresses a variety of proinflammatory cytokines in lymphocytes including the interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).[11] It also favors the synthesis of antagonists associated with interleukin IL-10 and IL-1 receptor.[11] IFN-β downregulates interferon γ production but enhances transforming growth factor β1 expression.[11] It has therapeutic potential in treating rheumatoid arthritis[11] and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).[12]
Interferon β has a role in the activation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene expression.[13] It acts as a messenger during bacterial infections.[14]
Physical form
Solution in 20 mM HEPES, pH 6.0, 0.5 M NaCl, 6% glycerol, and 0.1% bovine serum albumin.
Analysis Note
The biological activity is determined in the cytopathic effect inhibition assay using mouse L929 cells with encephalomyocarditis virus. The cytopathic effect of 50% is produced with approximately 1 unit/ml interferon. The units are determined with respect to NIH international standard reference for mouse interferon β.
