Roles of NF-κB in health and disease: mechanisms and therapeutic potential

The NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) family of transcription factors are involved in a myriad of activities, including the regulation of immune responses, maturation of immune cells, development of secondary lymphoid organs and osteoclastogenesis. Fine tuning by positive and negative regulators keeps the NF-κB signalling pathway in check. Microbial products and genetic alterations in NF-κB and other signalling pathway components can lead to deregulation of NF-κB signalling in several human diseases, including cancers and chronic inflammatory disorders. NF-κB-pathway-specific therapies are being actively investigated, and these hold promises as interventions of NF-κB-related ailments.