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. 1994 Oct 17;13(20):4798–4806. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1994.tb06805.x

Mice devoid of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) show normal expression of type I interferon genes.

L F Reis 1, H Ruffner 1, G Stark 1, M Aguet 1, C Weissmann 1
PMCID: PMC395418  PMID: 7957048

Abstract

The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) binds tightly to the interferon (IFN)-beta promoter and has been implicated in the induction of type I IFNs. We generated mice devoid of functional IRF-1 by targeted gene disruption. As reported by others, IRF-1-deficient mice showed a discrete phenotype: the CD4/CD8 ratio was increased and IFN-gamma-induced levels of macrophage iNO synthase mRNA were strongly diminished. However, type I IFN induction in vivo by virus or double-stranded RNA was unimpaired, as evidenced by serum IFN titers and IFN mRNA levels in spleen, liver and lung. There was also no impairment in the response of type I IFN-inducible genes. Therefore, IRF-1 is not essential for these processes in vivo.

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