New research provides clues on optimizing cell defenses when viruses attack

Researchers studying interferons, immune response proteins released naturally by human cells when viruses are detected, have uncovered new details on the mechanisms underlying cell defenses. They describe the intricate, time-dependent regulatory mechanisms that human cells use to control the duration and strength of antiviral responses triggered by interferon. Based on these findings, researchers are now able to design time-dependent administrations of interferon to minimize inhibitory factors and boost therapeutic responses.