title: Role of NF-kappaB in beta-cell death.
abstract: Apoptotic beta-cell death appears to be central to the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus and in islet graft rejection. The beta-cell destruction is partially mediated by cytokines, such as IL-1beta (interleukin 1beta), TNFalpha (tumour necrosis factor alpha) and IFN-gamma (interferon gamma). IL-1beta and TNFalpha mediate activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) pathway. Use of a degradation-resistant NF-kappaB protein inhibitor (DeltaNIkappaBalpha), specifically expressed in beta-cells, significantly reduced IL-1beta+IFN-gamma-induced apoptosis. Moreover, in vivo, it protected against multiple low-dose streptozocin-induced diabetes, with reduced intra-islet lymphocytic infiltration. Thus beta-cell-specific activation of NF-kappaB is a key event in the progressive loss of beta-cells in diabetes. Inhibition of this process could be a potential effective strategy for beta-cell protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. daniellem@ekmd.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melloul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B