GLI2 and inflammatory response: Furthermore, similar to the effects of the miR-146a mimic, IRAK-1 siRNA significantly inhibited the expression of HG-stimulated VCAM-1/ICAM-1 gene expression (Figure 4C) and THP-1 adhesion to HAECs (Figure 4D), indicating that HG-induced endothelial inflammation was mediated partially through IRAK-1.