We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Interferon Beta-1a?

By Maggie J. Hall
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,412
Share

Health care providers frequently prescribe interferon beta-1a, an amino acid glycoprotein, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, the substance typically acts by regulating immune function through communication with other cells. Researchers believe interferon beta-1a reduces the effects of the disease whether prescribed for newly diagnosed patients or for those with a progressive or relapsing forms of MS. MS patients inject the medication subcutaneously every other day or intramuscularly once a week.

Interferons belong to a group of chemicals that are naturally produced in the body by the white blood cells known as macrophages. Another job that these cells typically perform includes devouring invading organisms. Individual interferons have different capabilities. Interferon beta-1a generally acts as a body cell signaler because when the substance attaches itself to specific receptor sites on the cell surface, special genetic coding takes place within the cell. In addition to immunoregulation, the substance interferes with virus replication.

Researchers discovered that under certain circumstances, elevated levels of interferons in the blood help the body fight disease, as appears to be the case with MS sufferers. Manufacturers usually mass-produce interferon beta-1a by injecting the human substance into the ovaries of Chinese hamsters. The chemical byproduct has the exact amino acid chain as that of the original human substance. As interferon beta-1a attaches to nerve cells of MS patients, the number of lesions commonly associated with the disease is markedly reduced.

Nerve cells normally have a protective outer coating known as the myelin sheath. In MS patients, this coating deteriorates and is replaced by scar tissue. As a result of the insulation corruption, signals along and between nerve cells become disrupted, owing to a wide array of symptoms. Body imaging scans depict these areas of scar tissue as lesions that may appear throughout the brain, spinal column and peripheral nerve tissue. In addition to producing scars along the bodies of nerve cells, these areas become inflamed, applying pressure to sensitive nerve tissue, which results in pain and further signal interference. Interferon beta-1a attaches to nerve cells and appears to slow the progression of the disease in over one third of the patients who consistently inject the medication.

The most frequent adverse effects noted by patients using interferon beta-1a include flu-like symptoms, which may disappear within a few days. The medication has the potential to exacerbate or cause depression and suicidal ideation. Patients with a diagnosis of angina, congestive heart failure or abnormal cardiac rhythms might experience a worsening of symptoms while taking interferon beta-1a.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-interferon-beta-1a.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.