IRAK2 encodes the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2, one of two putative serine/threonine kinases that become associated with the interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R) upon stimulation. IRAK2 is reported to participate in the IL1-induced upregulation of NF-kappaB. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that the IRAK2 is a gene/protein marker indicating high severity and poor outcome in lethal E. coli-induced sepsis, with its highest expression observed in the late-stage lethal infection group [Zhang et al. DOI:10.1093/jimmun/vkaf140]. A study in rats demonstrated that the IRAK2 gene, identified as an inflammatory response gene, was upregulated in the cerebral cortex at 6 hours (2.82-fold) and 12 hours (2.14-fold) following a moderate fluid percussion traumatic brain injury, with its expression profile closely associated with the subsequent progression of apoptotic cell death [Shojo et al. DOI:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.10.018].