NF-κB and the Transcriptional Control of Inflammation

The NF-κB transcription factor was discovered 30 years ago and has since emerged as the master regulator of inflammation and immune homeostasis. It achieves this status by means of the large number of important pro- and antiinflammatory factors under its transcriptional control. NF-κB has a central role in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmunity, as well as diseases comprising a significant inflammatory component such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Here, we provide an overview of the studies that form the basis of our understanding of the role of NF-κB subunits and their regulators in controlling inflammation. We also describe the emerging importance of posttranslational modifications of NF-κB in the regulation of inflammation, and highlight the future challenges faced by researchers who aim to target NF-κB transcriptional activity for therapeutic benefit in treating chronic inflammatory diseases.