IFN-alpha 14

IFN-alpha 14 (IFNA14; IFN-α14), 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-14 involves in JAK/STAT signaling pathway, is identified as potent regulators that reduces both CTLA4 and FOXP3. Therefore, regulatory T cells (Tregs) as the key cells regulating peripheral autoreactive T lymphocytes, IFNα-14 regulates Treg functional states and destabilises Treg[4]. IFN-alpha14 is a new gene found in tissues of uninfected mice, also found to lack N-glycosylation and have its expression induced in response to viral infection in contrast to IFN-alpha 13[5].