New Insights into the Role of Nuclear Factor-κB, a Ubiquitous Transcription Factor in the Initiation of Diseases

TLDR

NF‑κB is a ubiquitous transcription factor that regulates cytokine, chemokine, growth factor, adhesion molecule, and acute‑phase protein expression, and its dysregulated activation or inhibition is implicated in a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as in apoptosis and impaired cell growth. The study proposes developing modulatory strategies targeting NF‑κB to serve as novel therapeutic tools for treating or preventing these diseases.

Abstract

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor that governs the expression of genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, and some acute phase proteins in health and in various disease states. NF-kappaB is activated by several agents, including cytokines, oxidant free radicals, inhaled particles, ultraviolet irradiation, and bacterial or viral products. Inappropriate activation of NF-kappaB has been linked to inflammatory events associated with autoimmune arthritis, asthma, septic shock, lung fibrosis, glomerulonephritis, atherosclerosis, and AIDS. In contrast, complete and persistent inhibition of NF-kappaB has been linked directly to apoptosis, inappropriate immune cell development, and delayed cell growth. Therefore, development of modulatory strategies targeting this transcription factor may provide a novel therapeutic tool for the treatment or prevention of various diseases.