43 IFN-induced Xaf1 expression occurs either through its interaction with the IFN regulatory factor 1-(IRF-1) binding element (IRF-E) or demethylation of CpG sites within the Xaf1 promoter.44, 45 The influence of IFN on Xaf1 has been shown to occur through the JAK-STAT and JNK pathways in a transcription dependent manner through the recruitment of IRF-1.45 Recently, Qiu et al.46 demonstrated an IRF-1-enhanced Xaf1 gene dependent activation within glomerular mesangial cells of a rat nephritis model. Here, MAPK8 is linked to nephritis.