interferon
noun
in·ter·fer·on
ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ˌän 
ˌin-tə-
: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoprotein cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by cells exposed usually to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (such as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals
Examples of interferon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an email, Choi said lupus patients had too much of a protein called interferon, which helps fight infection, and not enough aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) proteins, which regulate the body’s response to infection.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
At the heart of this imbalance is a protein called interferon, which helps defend the body against pathogens.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 July 2024
And some strains of the virus appear to have developed defense mechanisms against the interferon response, blunting its effect.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 3 July 2024
Another common trait among people in the two latter groups related to the production of interferon, or proteins that help bolster the body’s immune system.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for interferon 
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
At the heart of this imbalance is a protein called interferon, which helps defend the body against pathogens.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 July 2024
And some strains of the virus appear to have developed defense mechanisms against the interferon response, blunting its effect.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 3 July 2024
Another common trait among people in the two latter groups related to the production of interferon, or proteins that help bolster the body’s immune system.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for interferon
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interferon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interferon
Cite this Entry
“Interferon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interferon. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interferon
noun
in·ter·fer·on
ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän
: any of a group of proteins produced by cells that keep viruses attacking the cells from multiplying
Medical Definition
interferon
noun
in·ter·fer·on
ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän
: 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
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