Which Protein Inhibits the Viral Infection of Neighboring Cells: The Critical Role of Interferons and Their Induced Proteins
The human body has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to combat viral infections, and one of the most effective defenses involves proteins that prevent viruses from spreading to neighboring cells. But among these, interferons (IFNs) stand out as key players. These proteins are part of the innate immune system and act as a signaling molecule to alert nearby cells of a viral threat. By doing so, they trigger a cascade of events that inhibit viral replication in adjacent cells, effectively containing the infection before it can escalate.
