NF-kappaB/Rel-mediated regulation of apoptosis in human primary monocytes

Cell death by apoptosis is largely responsible for control of tissue homeostastis, differentiative and immune processes. Among apoptosis regulators are NF-κB/Rel transcription factors. Indeed, overexpression of p65- or c-Rel- containing dimers can impair apoptosis, while inhibition of NF-κ8/Rel activity can enhance death induced by TNF-a, ionizing radiations or chemotherapeutic agents, in several cell types. A number of NF-κB/Rel - regulated genes, that influence cell apoptosis, have been identified; however, a body of evidence indicate that other genes remain to be recognized. Such NF-κB/Rel regulated novel genes are expected to represent innovative tools for both the understanding, monitoring and specific modulation of apoptosis in physiologic and pathologic settings. Our group has been involved in studying NF-κB/Rel activity and apoptosis modulation in normal and pathological cell types, identifying a regulatory role of NF-κB/Rel factors in B-CLL and AML cell apoptotic response to, respectively, fludarabine and cytosine arabinoside, and in human primary CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cell survival and response to cytoprotectants. Here we comment results from our laboratory concerning NF-κB/Rel anti- apoptotic activity in human primary monocytes