Question

How does the action of interferons differ from the action of antibodies? (microbiology)

Answer 1

Interferons:- A protein released by animal cells, usually in response to the entry of a virus, which has the property of inhibiting virus replication.

Antibodies:- A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances which the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.

Actions:-

Antibodies	Interferons
1. Antibodies are globular proteins produced by the plasma cells of B cells that react specifically with antigen that stimulated their production. Antibodies are made up of light or heavy polypeptide chains.	Interferons are antiviral glycoproteins released by living cells in response to viral attack and induce a viral resistant state to neighbouring cells. Interferons also exhibit anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties.
2. Antibodies are produced by plasma B cells only.	Interferons are produced by any microbe infected cell especially virus infected cells.
3. They selectively bind to the specific antigens immobilize them for easy engulfing by phagocytes.	They induce the healthy cell to synthesise the antimicrobial proteins such as protein Kinase R thereby preparing cells against viral infection.
4. Antibodies produced are circulated in blood and lymph to dispose off the antigens.	Interferons released by the infected cell enter the neighbouring healthy cell to enhance their anti-viral defences.
5. They are slow in action but give a long lasting protection against antigens because of immunologic memory.	They are quick in action but give only temporary protection against microbes.
6. They act outside the cells and can directly bind to the epitopes of antigens.	They act inside the cells and induce synthesize of many defence proteins finally establishing an anti-viral state.
7. They form the body’s third line of defence which involves specific immune response. .Different Classes of antibodies: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE etc.	They form the body’s second line of defence which involves non-specific response. Different Classes of Interferons: IF?, IF?, IF? etc.