ALPHA-Interferon

BeschreibungInfergen was launched in the US for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The protein was prepared by examining the sequences of naturally occurring IFN-α's (14 different types) and assigning the most frequently observed amino acid in each corresponding position. The synthetic DNA coding this consensus peptide of 166 amino acids was ligated into an E. coli expression vector, produced by bacterial cell fermentation and purified to homogeneity (>98%). lnfergen has 30% identity with INF-β and 60% identity with IFN-ω. It has the correct disulfide bridges and was structurally similar to IFN-α. There are three isoforms of IFN's which results in differing antiviral properties, namely, the extent of NK cell activation, the capacity to induce IL-1, and the presentation of class Ⅰ HLA antigen. lnfergen was more effective than the other IFN’s with a 10-20 fold greater activity than IFN-α2a and IFN-α2b, had a greater antiproliferative effect and was more effective at activating NK cells. In addition, it had immunomodulatory effects similar to IFN-β1b, and IFN-α2a.