EGR1 is a transcription factor with many downstream targets. It has been shown that EGR1 can bind to the promotors of several proteins involved in inflammation, such as the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6, IL8 and TNF, and stimulate their expression (Shi et al., 2002; Droin et al., 2003; Hoffmann et al., 2008; Ma et al., 2009; Lin et al., 2014). In this way, EGR1 could help the host to mount an initial defense against invading pathogens.