NCIt definition : A highly purified alpha interferon produced by a human lymphoid cell line. Interferon
alpha-n1 consists of multiple alpha interferon subtypes, at least two of which are
glycosylated. In contrast, recombinant alpha interferons are individual non-glycosylated
proteins produced from individual alpha interferon genes. Alpha interferons bind to
specific cell-surface receptors, resulting in the transcription and translation of
genes whose proteins have antiviral, antiproliferative, anticancer, and immune-modulating
effects. (NCI04);