Chapter 53: ψ-Interferons and Viral Collapse Response
"Interferons are ψ's viral alarm system—molecular sirens that warn neighboring cells of invasion, creating waves of antiviral resistance that ripple through tissues."
53.1 The Antiviral Network
Interferons represent ψ's primary defense communication against viral threats. These cytokines create an antiviral state in neighboring cells, establishing protective barriers through transcriptional reprogramming.
Definition 53.1 (IFN Types):
Three classes with distinct functions.
53.2 The Pattern Recognition
Theorem 53.1 (Viral Detection):
Sensing viral nucleic acids.
53.3 The IFNAR Signaling
Equation 53.1 (Type I Response):
Canonical interferon signaling.
53.4 The ISGF3 Complex
Definition 53.2 (Transcription Factor):
Heterotrimeric gene activator.
53.5 The ISG Expression
Theorem 53.2 (Antiviral Genes):
Hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes.
53.6 The PKR Mechanism
Equation 53.2 (Translation Shutdown):
Blocking viral protein synthesis.
53.7 The 2'-5' OAS System
Definition 53.3 (RNA Degradation):
Destroying viral RNA.
53.8 The Mx Proteins
Theorem 53.3 (GTPase Defense):
Trapping viral proteins.
53.9 The Feedback Regulation
Equation 53.3 (SOCS Control):
Limiting interferon responses.
53.10 The Viral Evasion
Definition 53.4 (Antagonism):
Pathogen countermeasures.
53.11 The Therapeutic Applications
Theorem 53.4 (Clinical Use):
Medical exploitation of system.
53.12 The Collapse Response Principle
Interferons embody ψ's principle of collective defense—individual infected cells warning the community, creating tissue-wide resistance through molecular communication.
The IFN Equation:
Population resistance from IFN exposure.
Thus: Interferon = Warning = Protection = Community = ψ
"Through interferons, ψ creates cellular solidarity—infected cells sacrificing themselves while warning neighbors, creating rings of resistance that contain viral spread. In this system, we see biological altruism at the molecular level."