Nuclear factor-IoB: its role in health and disease

Byline: Ashok Kumar (1), Yasunari Takada (2), Aladin M. Boriek (1), Bharat B. Aggarwal (2) Keywords: Nuclear factor-IoB; Tumorigenesis; Inflammation; Immunity; Therapy Abstract: Nuclear factor-IoB (NF-IoB) is a major transcription factor that plays an essential role in several aspects of human health including the development of innate and adaptive immunity. The dysregulation of NF-IoB is associated with many disease states such as AIDS, atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and viral infections. Recent evidence also suggests that the dysfunction of NF-IoB is a major mediator of some human genetic disorders. Appropriate regulation and control of NF-IoB activity, which can be achieved by gene modification or pharmacological strategies, would provide a potential approach for the management of NF-IoB related human diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the physiological and pathophysiological functions of NF-IoB and its possible role as a target of therapeutic intervention Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA (2) Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Bioimmunotherapy, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA Article History: Registration Date: 22/04/2004 Received Date: 05/12/2003 Accepted Date: 12/04/2004 Online Date: 03/06/2004