IRF5 and rheumatoid arthritis: As previously mentioned, Abs against EBV and MAP antigen BOLF1, MAP_402718–32 human homologous (IRF5 epitope) were significantly higher in RA patients than healthy controls, indicating that these microorganisms may be involved in RA pathogenesis, with the production of cross-reactive Abs being a central mechanism to trigger autoimmune disease [174].