Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2013
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe multi-system autoimmune disease, whereas interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 5 belongs to the family of transcription factors that modulate immune system activities. Recently, many lines of investigations suggested that IRF5 gene polymorphisms are closely associated with the disease onset of SLE. Indeed, expressed in B cells, dendritic cells (DCs), monocytes and macrophages, IRF5 could significantly affect these immune cells participating in the pathogenesis of SLE, and numerous studies implied that this transcription factor is mechanistically linked to the disease progression. Here, we comprehensively review the updated evidence indicating the roles of IRF5 in autoimmune lupus. Hopefully, the information obtained will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and development of novel therapeutic strategies for the systemic autoimmune disease.
Niewold, T.B. et al. (2008) Association of the IRF5 risk haplotype with high serum interferon-alpha activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Arthritis Rheumatism 58, 2481-2487.
This article shows the biologic relevance of the SLE risk haplotype of IRF5 at the protein level.
Niewold, T.B. et al. (2012) IRF5 haplotypes demonstrate diverse serological associations which predict serum interferon alpha activity and explain the majority of the genetic association with systemic lupus erythematosus. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 71, 463-468.
This study indicates the association between IRF5 haplotypes, IFNα and SLE-specific auto-antibodies in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Lien, C. et al. (2010) Critical role of IRF-5 in regulation of B-cell differentiation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 4664-4668.
This study demonstrates that IRF-5 is involved in B-cell maturation and the stimulation of Blimp-1 expression.
Savitsky, D.A. et al. (2010) Contribution of IRF5 in B cells to the development of murine SLE-like disease through its transcriptional control of the IgG2a locus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 10154-10159.
This article demonstrates a requirement for IRF5 in development of murine SLE via its role in B lymphocytes.
Niewold, T.B. et al. (2008) Association of the IRF5 risk haplotype with high serum interferon-alpha activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Arthritis Rheumatism 58, 2481-2487.
This article shows the biologic relevance of the SLE risk haplotype of IRF5 at the protein level.
Niewold, T.B. et al. (2012) IRF5 haplotypes demonstrate diverse serological associations which predict serum interferon alpha activity and explain the majority of the genetic association with systemic lupus erythematosus. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 71, 463-468.
This study indicates the association between IRF5 haplotypes, IFNα and SLE-specific auto-antibodies in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Lien, C. et al. (2010) Critical role of IRF-5 in regulation of B-cell differentiation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 4664-4668.
This study demonstrates that IRF-5 is involved in B-cell maturation and the stimulation of Blimp-1 expression.
Savitsky, D.A. et al. (2010) Contribution of IRF5 in B cells to the development of murine SLE-like disease through its transcriptional control of the IgG2a locus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 10154-10159.
This article demonstrates a requirement for IRF5 in development of murine SLE via its role in B lymphocytes.