IRF5

Interferon regulatory factor 5 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the IRF5 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
IRF5 is a member of the is_associated_with::interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, a group of is_associated_with::transcription factors with diverse roles, including virus-mediated activation of interferon, and modulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune system activity. Members of the IRF family are characterized by a conserved N-terminal is_associated_with::DNA-binding domain containing is_associated_with::tryptophan (W) repeats. Alternative splice variants encoding different isoforms exist.

Clinical significance
IRF5 acts as a molecular switch that controls whether is_associated_with::macrophages will promote or inhibit inflammation. Blocking the production of IRF5 in macrophages may help treat a wide range of autoimmune diseases, and that boosting IRF5 levels might help treat people whose immune systems are weak, compromised, or damaged. IRF5 seems to work "either by interacting with DNA directly, or by interacting with other proteins that themselves control which genes are switched on."