Abstract: Objective To investigate the regulation of IFN-β expression by RNF167 in viral-infeted macrophages. Methods The expression of RNF167 was detected by Western blot in mouse peritoneal macrophages infected with either RNA virus VSV or DNA virus HSV-1. The expression of IFN-β was determined by real-time quantitive PCR (q-PCR) and ELISA assay in macrophage transfected with si-RNF167 and viral infection. P-IRF3 level was analyzed by Western blot. Results RNF167 was down-regulated in VSV infected mouse peritoneal macrophages （P < 0.01）. Knockdown of RNF167 by si-RNF167 significantly decreased the expression of IFN-β and the level of p-IRF3 in RNA viral-infected cells （p < 0.01, but not in HSV-1-infected cells. Conclusion With RNA viral infection, the level of RNF167 expression was decreased, which specifically regulated IFN-β expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Key words: RNF167, IFN-β, IRF3, innate immunity