Snapshot A 50-year-old man with a history of HIV presents to his infectious disease clinic for a rash. He reports that he stopped taking his anti-retroviral medication about 2 months ago due to gastrointestinal upset with each dose. He reports feeling well overall but reports developing a painless rash on his legs. Yesterday, he had night sweats and a low-grade fever. On physical exam, there are scattered violaceous papules and plaques on his bilateral lower extremities. Laboratory studies reveal a CD4+ count of < 200/uL. A skin biopsy is taken, and the patient is restarted on antiretrovirals and started on interferon therapy. (Kaposi sarcoma) Overview Drugs interferon-α interferon-β interferon-γ Mechanism of action interferons are part of the innate host defense against viruses they are glycoproteins that are naturally made by virus-infected cells to fight the infection interferon upregulates MHC expression interferon-α and interferon-β downregulates protein synthesis to prevent viral replication interferon-γ secreted by NK cells and T cells, activating macrophages activates NK cells to also eliminate virus-infected cells Clinical use viral infections, tumors, malignancies, and other conditions interferon-α hepatitis B hepatitis C Kaposi sarcoma condyloma acuminatum hairy cell leukemia renal cell carcinoma malignant melanoma follicular lymphoma interferon-β multiple sclerosis interferon-γ chronic granulomatous disease osteopetrosis Adverse effects flu-like symptoms neutropenia depression myopathy focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (nephrotic syndrome)
QUESTIONS 1 of 1 1 Previous Next (M1.MC.14.67) A 16-year-old Mexican female presents with symptoms of the common cold after the patient's respiratory epithelial cells were infected with Rhinovirus. Due to the presence of the virus, her respiratory epithelial cells begin producing interferon. Which is of the following is LEAST likely to be an outcome of the activation of the interferon response? QID: 101526 Type & Select Correct Answer 1 Decreased viral replication within the cell 9% (10/115) 2 A rhinovirus-specific, cell-mediated immune response 38% (44/115) 3 Upregulation of NK cell ligands on the infected cell 9% (10/115) 4 Activation of NK cells 5% (6/115) 5 Interferon binding to nearby uninfected epithelial cells 34% (39/115) M 1 Question Complexity E Question Importance Select Answer to see Preferred Response SUBMIT RESPONSE 2 Review Tested Concept Review Full Topic