Interferon-alpha 2 (IFNA2), also known as leukocyte interferon, is a type I interferon produced by macrophages, CD8 resting T cells, tonsillar NK cells, germinal center B cells, as well as epithelial cells, tumor cells and melanocytes. IFN alpha has at least nine different isoforms.
IFNA2 is a ligand for a cell surface receptor with two subunits, IFN-alpha R2 (ligand binding) and IFN-alpha R1 (ligand binding and signal transduction). IFNA2 has both antiviral and immunomodulatory activities on target cells. Intranasal administration has been shown to reduce viral load in subjects with the common cold. While IFNA2 is a prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, Interferon alpha 2b, has been used to treat melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, chronic myelogenous leukemia and hepatitis C.
