IFN-α and IFN-β differ from IFN-γ in which of the following ways?

IFN-α and IFN-β differ from IFN-γ in which of the following ways?

• A. IFN-α and IFN-β are primarily activate macrophages, whereas IFN-γ halts viral activity.
• B. IFN-α and IFN-β are called immune interferons, and IFN-γ is not.
• C. IFN-α and IFN-β are made primarily by activated T cells, whereas IFN-γ is made by fibroblasts.
• D. IFN-α and IFN-β inhibit cell proliferation, whereas IFN-γ stimulates antigen presentation by class II MHC molecules.

Answer: (D)

The important distinction is that type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) mainly create an antiviral state and can inhibit cell proliferation in many cell types, while type II interferon (IFN-γ) is geared toward activating immune functions, especially by increasing antigen presentation. IFN-γ enhances the expression of MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells, which boosts their ability to present antigens to CD4+ T cells. So the statement that best captures the difference is that IFN-α and IFN-β inhibit cell proliferation, whereas IFN-γ stimulates antigen presentation by class II MHC molecules. The other choices mix up which interferons do what, such as misstates who produces them or their primary actions.

The important distinction is that type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) mainly create an antiviral state and can inhibit cell proliferation in many cell types, while type II interferon (IFN-γ) is geared toward activating immune functions, especially by increasing antigen presentation. IFN-γ enhances the expression of MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells, which boosts their ability to present antigens to CD4+ T cells.

So the statement that best captures the difference is that IFN-α and IFN-β inhibit cell proliferation, whereas IFN-γ stimulates antigen presentation by class II MHC molecules. The other choices mix up which interferons do what, such as misstates who produces them or their primary actions.