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Lymphatic System

Specific Defenses

What naturally occurring substance provides protection against viral infections?

Interferons protect the adjacent cells against viral penetration. Interferons are glycoproteins produced by body cells upon exposure to a virus. In 1957 Alick Isaacs (1921–1967) and Jean Lindenmann (1924-) identified a group of over 20 substances that were later designated as alpha, beta, and gamma interferons.