In the early stages of pathogen infection, the miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy) IRF3 gene was significantly upregulated in expression to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway and trigger an immune response, whereas at 48 h of infection, IRF3 was downregulated in expression and IRF8 was upregulated in expression to maintain homeostasis of the immune system [38]. The gene discussed is IRF3; the disease is infection.