Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that possess potent anti-viral and immunoregulatory
activities. In contrast, their potential role (s) in anti-bacterial defense and neutrophil
activation mechanisms is less well explored. By comparing gene expression patterns
between immature and mature human neutrophils, we obtained evidence that intracellular
proteases and other anti-bacterial proteins are produced at earlier stages of maturation,
whereas the genes for receptors and signaling molecules required for the release of these …