Interferon Alpha (IFN-a)
Source: PBL Biomedical Laboratories
Interferon alpha, also known as leukocyte interferon, was the first type of interferon to be identified and commercialized
Interferon alpha, also known as leukocyte interferon, was the first type of interferon to be identified and commercialized. It remains the most frequently used interferon for both research and clinical applications. While B-lymphocytes are the predominant cellular producers of interferon alpha, most PBL IFN-a) products are recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli.
The alpha interferons comprise a family of related, homologous proteins, each exhibiting a unique activity profile. The activities of the different alpha interferon species on viruses can vary twenty fold or more. PBL carries all twelve human IFN-a) species. Experimenting with the different alpha species can help you to identify the ideal alpha interferon for your work, or allow you to better understand the workings of a virus through its differing reactions to the various species of IFN-a). Also, the only commercially available ELISA kit for detecting the full range of interferon alpha species is produced by PBL.
Hybrids of the interferon alpha family have also been produced. These hybrids frequently have characteristics unlike those of either parent. For example, PBL's Universal Type I Interferon (Hu-IFN-a) A/D) crosses the species barrier and can be used as a substitute for any mammalian Type I interferon (alpha, beta, omega, and tau).
Interferon alpha remains the most widely used interferon in clinical applications. It was first approved for combating malignancies, but anti-viral applications such as chronic hepatitis B and C now make up the bulk of interferon sales. Different countries throughout the world have approved Hu-IFN-a) for different applications. Current clinical applications in which at least one nation has approved the use of interferon alpha include:
Chronic Hepatitis B* Chronic Hepatitis C* Hairy Cell Leukemia* Kaposi's Sarcoma
(AIDS-related)* Cutaneous T-cell Leukemia* Chronic Myeloid Leukemia* Renal Cell Carcinoma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma* Adjuvant Therapy for
Malignant Melanoma* Bladder Cell Carcinoma Colon Carcinoma Laryngeal Papillomatosis Cervical Dysplasia Condylomata Acuminata
(Venereal Warts)* Multiple Myeloma
* (Indicates approval for clinical use in the U.S.)
The alpha interferons comprise a family of related, homologous proteins, each exhibiting a unique activity profile. The activities of the different alpha interferon species on viruses can vary twenty fold or more. PBL carries all twelve human IFN-a) species. Experimenting with the different alpha species can help you to identify the ideal alpha interferon for your work, or allow you to better understand the workings of a virus through its differing reactions to the various species of IFN-a). Also, the only commercially available ELISA kit for detecting the full range of interferon alpha species is produced by PBL.
Hybrids of the interferon alpha family have also been produced. These hybrids frequently have characteristics unlike those of either parent. For example, PBL's Universal Type I Interferon (Hu-IFN-a) A/D) crosses the species barrier and can be used as a substitute for any mammalian Type I interferon (alpha, beta, omega, and tau).
Interferon alpha remains the most widely used interferon in clinical applications. It was first approved for combating malignancies, but anti-viral applications such as chronic hepatitis B and C now make up the bulk of interferon sales. Different countries throughout the world have approved Hu-IFN-a) for different applications. Current clinical applications in which at least one nation has approved the use of interferon alpha include:
Chronic Hepatitis B* Chronic Hepatitis C* Hairy Cell Leukemia* Kaposi's Sarcoma
(AIDS-related)* Cutaneous T-cell Leukemia* Chronic Myeloid Leukemia* Renal Cell Carcinoma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma* Adjuvant Therapy for
Malignant Melanoma* Bladder Cell Carcinoma Colon Carcinoma Laryngeal Papillomatosis Cervical Dysplasia Condylomata Acuminata
(Venereal Warts)* Multiple Myeloma
* (Indicates approval for clinical use in the U.S.)
PBL Biomedical Laboratories, 100 Jersey Avenue, Building D, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Tel: 732-828-8881; Fax: 732-828-3736.