NF-kappa B in rheumatoid arthritis: a pivotal regulator of inflammation, hyperplasia, and tissue destruction

Abstract

The transcription factor NF-kappa B has been well recognized as a pivotal regulator of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but recent developments revealed a broad involvement of NF-kappa B in other aspects of RA pathology, including development of T helper 1 responses, activation, abnormal apoptosis and proliferation of RA fibroblast-like synovial cells, and differentiation and activation of bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. In agreement with this, studies in animal models of RA have demonstrated the high therapeutic efficacy of specific inhibitors of NF-kappa B pathway, indicating the feasibility of anti-NF-kappa B therapy for human disease.

Figure 1

Inducers and targets of NF-κB. bFGF, Basic fibroblast growth factor; CD40L, CD40 ligand; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthetase; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; RANKL, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand; TRANCE, TNF-related activation-induced cytokine; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.