NFKB1 and cerebral infarction: Previous studies have indicated that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), one of the MAPK family members, upregulates NF-κB expression (p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling) and subsequently causes the transcription of genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in the exacerbation of cerebral infarction in the acute phase of transient MCAo [108–110].