ABSTRACT
Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)members are composed of 10 different proteins,including IRF1 ～ IRF9 and viruses IRF(V-IRF).These IRFs regulate the transcription of type I IFN genes as transcription factors.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a large number of autoantibodies and precipitated immune complexes,which can cause the damage of multiple organs and systems.Type I interferon system,especially the IFN-α is an important pathogenic factor in the process of SLE morbidity.SLE patients may have high level of IFN-α,which could affect the activation of the immune system to promote the development of SLE through the regulation of a variety of immune cells' activation,differentiation and function.Besides IRF3 and IRFT,the transcription factor IRF5 gene has also been shown to be related to the production of type I interferon and is an important regulator of the IFN pathway,and its genetic polymorphism and expression abnormality lead to the susceptibility of SLE.In addition to regulating the expression of type I IFN genes,IRF5 is also associated with other signaling pathways,including B cell transformation of IgG,macrophage polarization and apoptosis,and these signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of SLE also play a very important role.This article reviews the role of IRF5 in the development of SLE disease.