Abundant reports have linked IRF5 to inflammatory diseases.31,32 IRF5 not only plays a vital role in regulating type I interferon expression induced by viruses and pathogens33,34 but has recently gained much attention as an immune regulator of inflammatory responses and autoimmune diseases as well.35,36 Upon the activation of TLRs by various stimuli, IRF5 participates in promoting downstream pro-inflammatory signaling.10 Considering the important role of TLRs in NEC,37,38 it is reasonable that IRF5 may also be induced in NEC. Here, IRF5 is linked to autoimmune disease.