Anti-inflammatory interventions of NF-kappaB signaling: potential applications and risks.
Signaling via NF-kappaB is a key process during inflammation and thus constitutes an attractive target for anti-inflammatory therapeutic interventions. Especially during initial hyperinflammatory states of an acute illness such as sepsis or in the course of chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases inhibition of IKK-driven NF-kappaB activation provides a promising treatment strategy. Given its critical role in innate and adaptive immune responses, however, there is a certain amount of risk due to induced immunodeficiency that may follow inhibitory treatment. Moreover, its primary anti-apoptotic function suggests that blockade of NF-kappaB activation has dramatic effects on cell functions and survival and eventually worsens the course of an inflammatory disease. An overview of canonical and alternative NF-kappaB activation and its critical role in immune responses will be provided. A main topic focuses on recent animal studies and data derived from genetic studies in humans that provide an insight into potential effects of different therapeutic modulations of NF-kappaB inflammatory signaling. The pros and cons of NF-kappaB inhibition and treatment strategies will be critically reviewed.
Uwe
Senftleben
S
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Ulm, Steinhövelstr. 9, D-89075 Ulm, Germany. uwe.senftleben@uni-ulm.de
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D016328:NF-kappa B