In diabetic nephropathy, IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), a critical downstream effector of IL-1/IL-1R signaling, is upregulated in glomeruli and podocytes and the knockdown of IRAK1 ameliorates renal injury and dysfunction, reduces podocyte apoptosis, increases nephrin expression and preserves podocyte cytoskeletal architecture and glomerular basement membrane integrity [33]. Here, IRAK1 is linked to diabetic kidney disease.