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Interferon- ζ/Limitin: Novel Type I Interferon That Displays a Narrow Range of Biological Activity

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Abstract

Interferon ζ (IFN-ζ)/limitin has been regarded as a novel type IIFN by the Nomenclature Committee of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research. IFN-ζ/limitin, which has some sequence homology with IFN-α and IFN-ß, has a globular structure with 5 α helices and 4 loops and recognizes IFN-α/ß receptor. Although it displays antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor effects, IFN-ζ/limitin has much less lymphomyelosuppressive activity than IFN-α. Unique interactions between IFN-ζ/limitin and the receptor probably led to the narrow range of signals and biological activities. A human homologue of IFN-ζ/limitin may be clinically more effective than IFN-α and IFN-ß because it has fewer adverse effects. Moreover, further analysis of the structure-function relationship may establish an engineered cytokine with the useful features of IFN-ζ/ limitin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, 565-0871, Suita, Osaka, Japan

    Kenji Oritani & Yoshiaki Tomiyama

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  1. Kenji Oritani
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  2. Yoshiaki Tomiyama
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Correspondence to Kenji Oritani.

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Oritani, K., Tomiyama, Y. Interferon- ζ/Limitin: Novel Type I Interferon That Displays a Narrow Range of Biological Activity. Int J Hematol 80, 325–331 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1532/IJH97.04087

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1532/IJH97.04087

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