Essential role of IRAK-4 protein and its kinase activity in Toll-like receptor–mediated immune responses but not in TCR signaling

Interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) was reported to be essential for the Toll-like receptor (TLR)– and T cell receptor (TCR)–mediated signaling leading to the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). However, the importance of kinase activity of IRAK family members is unclear. In this study, we investigated the functional role of IRAK-4 activity in vivo by generating mice carrying a knockin mutation (KK213AA) that abrogates its kinase activity. IRAK-4^KN/KN mice were highly resistant to TLR-induced shock response. The cytokine production in response to TLR ligands was severely impaired in IRAK-4^KN/KN as well as IRAK-4^−/− macrophages. The IRAK-4 activity was essential for the activation of signaling pathways leading to mitogen-activated protein kinases. TLR-induced IRAK-4/IRAK-1–dependent and –independent pathways were involved in early induction of NF-κB–regulated genes in response to TLR ligands such as tumor necrosis factor α and IκBζ. In contrast to a previous paper (Suzuki, N., S. Suzuki, D.G. Millar, M. Unno, H. Hara, T. Calzascia, S. Yamasaki, T. Yokosuka, N.J. Chen, A.R. Elford, et al. 2006. Science. 311:1927–1932), the TCR signaling was not impaired in IRAK-4^−/− and IRAK-4^KN/KN mice. Thus, the kinase activity of IRAK-4 is essential for the regulation of TLR-mediated innate immune responses.