The role of nuclear factor-kappaB in the development of autoimmune diseases: a link between genes and environment.
Although autoimmune diseases are relatively common, mechanisms that lead to their development remain largely unknown. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of immune responses and apoptosis, appears to be a good candidate for studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. This review presents how perturbations of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway may contribute to self-tolerance failure, initiation of autoimmune inflammatory response as well as its persistent maintenance and therefore to the development of common autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroid autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus as well as inflammatory bowel diseases and psoriasis. A special emphasis is put on the genetic variations in the NF-kappaB related genes and their possible association with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, as well as on the therapeutic potential of the NF-kappaB targeted strategies in the treatment of autoimmunity.
Kuryłowicz
Alina
A
Department of Endocrinology, Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland. kurylowicz@cmdik.pan.pl
Nauman
Janusz
J
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*
D016328:NF-kappa B