Anti-Mouse IFNβ - Purified (I-440-GRP)

Interferons (IFN) consist of two classes. The type I IFN class consists of 20 highly similar IFN-α proteins and a single IFN-ß protein. The second class, type II IFN, consists of a single protein, IFN-γ. IFN-α and IFN-ß signal through the same cell surface receptor IFNAR1 and have a similar range of biological activities including antiviral and antiproliferative activity. The type I IFNs also influence activation, growth and differentiation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, NK cells and other cell types such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts. IFN-ß has recently proven to be beneficial in patients with multiple sclerosis and could also be a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. It is unclear what cellular mechanisms are involved in IFN-ß’s therapeutic effects, but they may be caused by a restoration of balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.