Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) is a key transcription factor and a critical regulator of type I interferon (IFN) responses, predominantly expressed in lymphoid tissues such as the spleen, thymus, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. It plays a central role in the innate immune response against viral infections by regulating the transcription of IFN-尾 and IFN-伪 genes. IRF7 is activated through various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and signaling pathways, including the MyD88-dependent and TRIF-dependent pathways, leading to its phosphorylation, dimerization, and nuclear translocation to induce IFN production. Additionally, IRF7 is involved in the regulation of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where its expression and genetic polymorphisms are associated with disease susceptibility. IRF7 also exhibits antiviral and immunomodulatory functions, making it a potential target for therapeutic interventions in viral infections and autoimmune disorders.
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