PRRSV-2 infection down-regulated the expression of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). (A) MARC-145 cells were infected with PRRSV-2 at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, and 36 h later, the mRNA expression levels of IRF7 were assessed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). (B) MARC-145 cells were infected with PRRSV-2 at different MOI, and 24 h later, the protein expression levels of IRF7 were assessed by Western blots. (C) MARC-145 cells were infected with PRRSV-2 at an MOI of 0.1, and 24 h, 36 h or 48 h later, the protein expression levels of IRF7 were assessed by Western blots. All experiments were repeated at least three times with similar results. ** p < 0.01.