The central role of nuclear factor-kappa B in mesangial cell activation.
BACKGROUND
Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a family of transcription factors that is recognized by the kappa B enhancer element. Numerous proinflammatory genes have binding sites for NF-kappa B, and the products of these genes are an integral part of cellular activation and inflammatory response systems. Because there is a close relationship between NF-kappa B and mediators of cell activation, it is possible that a disruption of NF-kappa B-activating pathways may effectively influence mesangial cell activation.


METHODS
We reviewed available studies related to both NF-kappa B and mesangial cells in order to provide evidence for the role of NF-kappa B in mesangial cell activation.


RESULTS
Studies reported by this laboratory and others showed that various experimental maneuvers that modulate NF-kappa B activation result in a parallel modulation of proinflammatory molecule production in cultured mesangial cells. Likewise, the ability of the inhibitors of NF-kappa B activation to down-regulate the inflammatory response in animal models of renal disease has been recently demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a pivotal role of NF-kappa B in mesangial cell activation and designate it as an obvious target for the modulation of this activation. Studies are necessary to characterize the role of NF-kappa B in human renal injury.
Division of Nephrology, C.H. Beauvais, Paris, France. massy@citi2.fr
Z A
ZA
Massy
C
C
Guijarro
M P
MP
O'Donnell
Y
Y
Kim
C E
CE
Kashtan
J
J
Egido
B L
BL
Kasiske
W F
WF
Keane
D000818:Animals; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*
D016328:NF-kappa B