Moreover, under infection with Rickettsia conorii, a highly pathogenic agent, HMECs secrete IFN-β to activate signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 1 by phosphorylation in an autocrine/paracrine manner, promoting the expression of transcription factors interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and IRF9 and inhibiting the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling protein SOCS1 and UBP43, which finally lead to the significant suppression of the intracellular replication of R. conorii (6, 7). The gene discussed is IRF7; the disease is infection.