TAOK1 positively regulates TLR4-induced inflammatory responses by promoting ERK1/2 activation in macrophages

Thousand and one amino acid kinase 1 (TAOK1) is a member of Ste20-like kinases, but its function in regulating inflammatory responses remains largely unknown. In this study, we identify TAOK1 as a positive regulator of TLR4-triggered inflammatory responses in macrophages. TAOK1 increases LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL12p40 in macrophages. TAOK1 deficient mice showed decreased susceptibility to endotoxin shock, with less pro-inflammatory cytokine production than control mice. TAOK1 promotes LPS-induced activation of ERK1/2 by constitutively interacting with TRAF6 and TPL2. These finding unravel the important role of TAOK1 as a positive regulator of TLR4-induced inflammatory responses.