Regulation of tissue homeostasis by NF-κB signalling: implications for inflammatory diseases

M Pasparakis - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2009 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2009nature.com
The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway regulates immune responses and is
implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. Given the well established
pro-inflammatory functions of NF-κB, inhibition of this pathway would be expected to have
anti-inflammatory effects. However, recent studies in mouse models have led to surprising
and provocative results, as NF-κB inhibition in epithelial cells resulted in the spontaneous
development of severe chronic inflammatory conditions. These findings indicate that NF-κB …
Abstract
The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway regulates immune responses and is implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. Given the well established pro-inflammatory functions of NF-κB, inhibition of this pathway would be expected to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, recent studies in mouse models have led to surprising and provocative results, as NF-κB inhibition in epithelial cells resulted in the spontaneous development of severe chronic inflammatory conditions. These findings indicate that NF-κB signalling acts in non-immune cells to control the maintenance of tissue immune homeostasis. This Review discusses the mechanisms by which NF-κB activity in non-immune cells regulates tissue immune homeostasis and prevents the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
nature.com