Background: IFN-beta
Interferon-beta (IFN-beta), along with IFN-alpha and IFN-omega, is a member of the type I interferon family. All three type I interferons share a common cell surface receptor that is composed of two subunits, a 100 kDa ligand-binding subunit (IFN-alpha R2) and a 125 kDa subunit (IFN-alpha R1) that is involved both in ligand binding and signal transduction. Type I interferons were originally described as potent anti-viral molecules produced by virally infected cells.