We found that mRNAs for cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 2 (EIF2AK2), IL1RN, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3), TLR1, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 were significantly upregulated in SLE compared with NC (Fig. 5b). Here, IRAK3 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.