IRAK-4: A New Drug Target in Inflammation, Sepsis, and Autoimmunity

Abstract

Two very recent publications, by Suzuki et al. and Li et al., describe the cloning, characterization, and the effects of knockout mice deficient in interleukin-1-associated receptor kinase-4 (IRAK-4), the newest member of the IRAK family. IRAK-4 requires its kinase activity to activate NF-κB, and IRAK-4 also activates MAP kinases. Wietek and O’Neill discuss the data indicating that IRAK-4 lies upstream of and activates IRAK-1, and that IRAK-4 is essential for innate immunity.