IRF7: role and regulation in immunity and autoimmunity

Front Immunol. 2023 Aug 10:14:1236923. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1236923. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 7 was originally identified as master transcriptional factor that produced IFN-I and regulated innate immune response, subsequent studies have revealed that IRF7 performs a multifaceted and versatile functions in multiple biological processes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the current knowledge of the role of IRF7 in immunity and autoimmunity. We focus on the latest regulatory mechanisms of IRF7 in IFN-I, including signaling pathways, transcription, translation, and post-translational levels, the dimerization and nuclear translocation, and the role of IRF7 in IFN-III and COVID-19. In addition to antiviral immunity, we also discuss the role and mechanism of IRF7 in autoimmunity, and the further research will expand our understanding of IRF7.

Keywords: COVID-19; IFN-I; IFN-III; IRF7; autoimmunity; immunity.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity*
  • COVID-19
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7* / immunology
  • Interferon Type I*

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • IRF7 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7

Grants and funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81772717), the Guizhou Provincial Basic Research Program (Natural Science) [ (2023) 525].