The IRF family transcription factors at the interface of innate and adaptive immune responses

The interferon-regulatory factor (IRF) family, originally identified as transcriptional regulators of the type I interferon system, consists of nine members in mammals. A large number of studies have revealed the versatile and critical functions performed by this transcription factor family in immunity and other biological processes. Most notably, the advances in the study of signal transducing innate immune receptors have placed many IRF members as central mediators in the regulation of innate immune responses. In parallel, mechanistic studies have made it clearer that many IRFs exert their function either in cooperation or competition with other factors. In this article, we discuss current advances on the multipurpose and critical functions of IRFs in the regulation of innate immunity, particularly as they instruct adaptive immunity.