Interleukin-1 receptor-related kinase (IRAK4) is a widely expressed serine/threonine kinase involved in the regulation of innate immunity. IRAK4 plays a pivotal role as a key kinase within the downstream signaling pathway cascades of interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1R) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The signaling pathways orchestrated by IRAK4 are integral to inflammatory responses, and its overexpression is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Consequently, targeting IRAK4-mediated signaling pathways has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Small molecule inhibitors and degraders designed to modulate IRAK4 have shown efficacy in mitigating related diseases. In this paper, we will provide a detailed description of the structure and function of IRAK4, the role of IRAK4 in related diseases, as well as the currently reported small molecule inhibitors and degraders of IRAK4. It is expected to provide new directions for enriching the clinical treatment of inflammation and related diseases.

Cerebral infarction, with high incidence, high mortality, high disability and high recurrence rates, can impose a serious burden on families and society. After cerebral infarction occurrence, neurons, as the fundamental structures of the central nervous system, are unable to renew or multiply after death; hence, full recovery from neurological impairments following cerebral infarction is challenging. With stem cell and genetic recombination advancements, cellular replacement therapy after cerebral infarction progresses, which helps clinical transformation and application. In this paper, the basic researches of cellular replacement therapy after cerebral infarction are reviewed from 3 aspects: endogenous nerve regeneration, exogenous stem cell transplantation, and in situ somatic cell trans-differentiation into neurons, in order to provide references for cerebral infarction treatment