IFN-alpha 10

IFN-alpha 10 (IFNA10; IFN-α10), belongs to the alpha/beta interferon (IFN) family, is produced by the macrophages with antiviral activities[1]. Interferon (IFN) is originally identified as a substance ‘interfering’ with viral replication in vitro. IFN-α/β and related molecules are classified as type I IFNs, as for the other two types of type II IFN (IFN-γ) and type III IFNs (IFN-λ), respectively[2]. Interferon stimulates the production of two enzymes: a protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase. Interferon alpha (IFNa) shows significant biological activity in various cancers, paticularly haematological malignancies such as hairy cell leukaemia and chronic myelogenous leukaemia[3]. IFNα-10 involves in JAK/STAT signaling pathway with strong signaling effect (EC50=0.3 nM), is identified as potent regulators that reduces both CTLA4 and FOXP3 without affecting cell viability. Therefore, regulatory T cells (Tregs) as the key cells regulating peripheral autoreactive T lymphocytes, IFNα-10 regulates Treg functional states and destabilises Treg[4].