title: Relevance of new drug discovery to reduce NF-κB activation in cardiovascular disease.
abstract: The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a main regulator of the expression of several genes involved in the activation of inflammation, cell proliferation, cell immunity and apoptosis. Excess or inappropriate activation of NF-κB has been observed in human inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Because of the extensive involvement of NF-κB signaling in human diseases, efforts have been made in developing inhibitors of this pathway. Here we will provide an overview of the biology of NF-κB activation pathways. We will here especially focus on current knowledge of the role of the classical ("canonical") NF-κB activation pathway as a potential therapeutic target for anti-atherosclerotic therapies in clinical applications, and discuss classical and novel therapeutic strategies to reduce its prolonged activation.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Cardiology, "G. d'Annunzio" University-Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalinda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caterina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B