title: NF-κB: an essential transcription factor in psoriasis.
abstract: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a protein transcription factor that orchestrates inflammation and other complex biological processes. It is a key regulatory element in a variety of immune and inflammatory pathways, in cellular proliferation and differentiation and in apoptosis. Therefore NF-κB is a crucial mediator involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Psoriasis, an inflammatory dermatosis, is marked by elevated levels of active, phosphorylated NF-κB. Genomic studies have also linked psoriasis with mediators in the NF-κB pathway. NF-κB has been hypothesized to connect the altered keratinocyte and immune cell behavior that characterizes the psoriatic milieu. Several anti-psoriatic therapies, including tumor necrosis factor-α blockers and glucocorticoids, reduce active NF-κB levels and related down-stream elements, and other biologics currently in development, including interleukin-17 blockers, may also target this pathway. Compounds that specifically target NF-κB signaling may be developed as novel therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disorders including psoriasis. However, chronic NF-κB inhibition could also result in immunodeficiencies. Therefore, a delicate balance must be found that maximizes therapeutic potential while limiting harmful effects, and may be achieved through several possible approaches, including localized therapy, selective inhibition of NF-κB signaling in pathologic cells, incomplete pathway inhibition or short treatment durations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. ari.goldminz@gmail.com
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goldminz
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Lizzul
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D052003:NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; D052003:NF-kappa B p52 Subunit; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA