Interferons Interferons are a part of your defense system. Whenever an unwanted intruder enters your body or your body abnormally produces cancerous cells, alert signals to immune system are sent my interferons so the immune cells become active and kill the invader. The cells under invasion first release interferon alpha and beta which release warning signals that alert the immune system about the presence of invader in body. The immune system responds by activating white blood cells that release interferon gamma to fight against the pathogen. Basic functions of interferons are: • Send warning signals to the immune system so it can kill the pathogens or cancerous cells • Recognition of a virus or cancer to which the body was once exposed previously • Direct the attack of immune cells • Interfere in the replication of virus