Interferon regulatory factor 4 and 8 in B-cell development

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and 8 are members of the interferon regulatory factor family of transcription factors and have been shown to be essential for the development and function of T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. A series of recent studies have further demonstrated critical functions for IRF4 and 8 at several stages of B-cell development including pre-B-cell development, receptor editing, germinal center reaction and plasma cell generation. Collectively, these new studies provide molecular insights into the function of IRF4 and 8 and underscore a requirement for IRF4 and 8 throughout B-cell development. This review focuses on the recent advances on the roles of IRF4 and 8 in B-cell development.