ObjectiveTo explore the effect of daunorubicin(DNR) on the expression of IRF1-mRNA, IRF8-mRNA and IRF9-mRNA in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line of HL-60 cell. MethodsHL-60 cell line was set to HL-60 group, HL-60+DNR group, and the peripheral white blood cells separated from the blood of normal person served as NC group. The HL-60+DNR group was exposed to small doses of DNR every two day for 10 days, while the HL-60 group received no treatment. IRF1-mRNA,IRF8-mRNA and IRF9-mRNA were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The analysis for each group was performed for three times. ResultsThe expression of IRF1-mRNA and IRF8-mRNA in the HL-60 group were markedly down-regulated compared to the NC group(P<0.05), but were markedly up-regulated in the HL-60+DNR group(P<0.05); compared to the NC group, the expression of IRF9-mRNA in the HL-60+DNR group was markedly up-regulated (P<0.05), and down-regulated in the HL-60 group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) .ConclusionsDNR can up-regulate the expression of IRF1、IRF8、IRF9 in HL-60 cell line. DNR may induce apoptosis and promote maturation on leukemia cells and promote remission in APL patients.