IFNγ stands for Interferon-gamma.
Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) is a crucial molecule in the human body, specifically identified as a cytokine. Cytokines are small proteins that are important in cell signaling.
Based on the provided reference from ScienceDirect Topics:
Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) is a cytokine that plays physiologically important roles in promoting innate and adaptive immune responses.
Role of Interferon-gamma (IFNγ)
IFNγ plays a significant role in the immune system, acting as a key mediator in both the body's initial, non-specific defenses (innate immunity) and the more targeted, specific defenses developed over time (adaptive immunity). Its functions include:
- Activating macrophages, which are immune cells that engulf and digest foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells.
- Promoting the expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, which are important for presenting antigens to T cells.
- Enhancing the killing ability of natural killer (NK) cells.
- Influencing the differentiation of T helper cells into different subsets.
- Having antiviral and anti-tumor properties.
Understanding what IFNγ stands for and its functions is important in fields like immunology, cancer research, and infectious disease studies. Its role in promoting immune responses makes it a target of interest in immunotherapy approaches, such as those discussed in the context of cytokines in tumor immunity.
