IRF Antibodies

Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs) are a family of transcription factors that play crucial roles in regulating the immune response, particularly in antiviral defense, inflammation, and immune system homeostasis. The IRF family consists of nine members (IRF1 to IRF9), each with distinct roles in modulating gene expression in response to interferons (IFNs), pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and other immune stimuli. IRFs are involved in the activation of type I interferon genes and other cytokines, as well as the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. 

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IRF antibodies are highly specific immunological reagents designed to detect individual IRF proteins. Monoclonal IRF antibodies offer high specificity by targeting a single epitope on the IRF protein, making them ideal for experiments requiring precision. Polyclonal antibodies, which recognize multiple epitopes, provide increased sensitivity for detecting low-abundance IRF proteins.

Applications of IRF Antibody

• Antiviral and Immune Response Research: IRF family members, particularly IRF3 and IRF7, are key regulators of type I interferon (IFN-α/β) production, which is critical for antiviral immunity. Upon viral infection or recognition of PAMPs by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), IRF3 and IRF7 are activated, translocating to the nucleus to induce the transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). IRF antibodies, especially those against IRF3 and IRF7, are widely used in immunology research to study the activation and nuclear translocation of these proteins. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation with IRF antibodies help assess the phosphorylation and activation status of IRFs during viral infections or in response to IFNs.
  • IRF3 and IRF7: These are critical for the induction of IFN responses during viral infections. Antibodies targeting IRF3 and IRF7 are used to detect their activation, nuclear translocation, and phosphorylation in cells infected with viruses such as influenza, hepatitis, and herpesviruses.
• Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disease Studies: Dysregulation of IRF signaling is implicated in various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IRF antibodies are used to investigate the role of specific IRF family members in these diseases. For example, IRF5 is known to play a role in promoting pro-inflammatory cytokine production, making it a key target in autoimmune disease research. Researchers use IRF5 antibodies in Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA to measure IRF expression and activation levels in disease models and patient samples, providing insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of inflammation and autoimmunity.
  • IRF5: IRF5 is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as SLE. Antibodies against IRF5 are used to study its role in promoting inflammatory responses in autoimmune disorders.

IRF antibodies are indispensable tools for studying the roles of IRF transcription factors in immune regulation, antiviral defense, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. These antibodies enable the precise detection, quantification, and functional analysis of IRFs in various biological systems.