Interferon regulatory factor 8 governs myeloid cell development

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are a family of central transcriptional regulators that produce type I interferon and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) exists mainly in hematopoietic cells and is essential for the development of several myeloid lineages, including monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the roles of IRF8 in the differentiation of myeloid pedigree and MDSC aggregation in diseases such as tumors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of IRF8 in the regulation of myeloid cell development, with particular reference to multiple disease conditions. Clarifying the various functions of IRF8 may suggest targets for therapeutic interventions.