The NF-κB signalling pathway in osteoarthritis

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) proteins constitute a family of transcription factors that are stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, stress-related factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation products. Upon stimulation, the activated NF-κB molecules trigger the expression of an array of genes which induce destruction of the articular joint, leading to osteoarthritis (OA) onset and progression. Therefore, targeted strategies that interfere with NF-κB signalling could offer novel potential therapeutic options for OA treatment. In this review, we discuss the involvement of NF-κB in OA pathogenesis and how pharmacological inhibition of the NF-κB signalling pathway affects OA incidence and evolution.