Biology / Unit 13 Bio 3269 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Interferons and Viral Defense
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The idea
Interferons are signaling proteins released by virus-infected cells that warn neighboring cells to raise their own antiviral defenses, slowing a virus's spread through tissue.
In practice
Interferon-warned neighboring cells reduce protein synthesis, limiting a virus's ability to replicate even if it does infect them.
Where people slip
Interferons slow viral spread rather than directly destroying an infected cell — a separate mechanism handles direct destruction.
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