About interferon true is -

interferon any of a group of proteins produced by cells in the body in response to an attack by a virus A cell infected by a virus releases minute amounts of interferons, which attach themselves to neighboring cells,prompting them to sta producing their own protective antiviral enzymes. The result is impairment of the growth and replication of the attacking virus. ref: Ganong's Review of Medical physiology; 24th edition; page no:54