Analysis of the antiviral efficacy and target genes of the Lambda-interferons IL-28A and IL-29

Background & Aims: Specific differences in signaling and antiviral properties between the different Lambda-interferons, a novel group of interferons composed of IL-28A, IL-28B and IL-29, are currently unknown. Several recent publications describe an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL28B gene region and the clearance of HCV infection. This is the first study comparatively investigating the transcriptome and the antiviral properties of the Lambda-interferons IL-29 and IL-28A, which is on an mRNA level 98% identical to IL-28B. Methods: Expression studies were performed by microarray analy…