IRF5 and multiple sclerosis: Specifically, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) gene, a major regulator of the type I IFN induction and critical for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, have been associated with different autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, systemic sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and Sjöegren’s syndrome [12–17].