MYD88 and infection: Once activated, these IRAK kinases initiate a cascade of downstream effects, encompassing the stimulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and activator protein 1 (AP-1), thereby cementing MyD88's role as a central hub in the inflammatory response15.A number of deactivating mutations within the MyD88 gene have been pinpointed in individuals experiencing recurrent infections caused by pyogenic bacteria16.