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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

interferon

Main Entry:: in·ter·fer·on
Pronunciation:: \ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän\
Function:: noun

: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoproteins of low molecular weight that are produced usually by cells exposed to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals, and that include some used medically as antiviral or antineoplastic agents—see alpha interferon, beta interferon, gamma interferon

Learn more about "interferon" and related topics at Britannica.com

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