NF-κB: a key role in inflammatory diseases

^{Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands}^{Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA}

Address correspondence to: Paul P. Tak, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Phone: +31-20-5662171; Fax: +31-20-6919658; E-mail: ln.avu.cma@kaT.P.P.

Activation of the NF-κB/Rel transcription family, by nuclear translocation of cytoplasmic complexes, plays a central role in inflammation through its ability to induce transcription of proinflammatory genes (1). This pathway is activated upon appropriate cellular stimulation, most often by signals related to pathogens or stress. Here we will discuss the specificity of various NF-κB proteins, their role in inflammatory disease, the regulation of NF-κB activity by IκB proteins and IκB kinase (IKK), and the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibition of NF-κB.

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