NF-kappaB and apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells.

A number of transcription factors have been identified as regulators of mammary development, including Stat5 and C/EBPbeta (1-3). In this review we summarize evidence which suggests that the NF-kappaB family of transcription factors also has a role in mammary gland development. NF-kappaB was originally described as a mediator of inflammatory reactions and cellular responses to viral pathogens. More recently it has been shown to possess an anti-apoptotic effect in a variety of cell types by regulating apoptosis-related genes. In the light of this function in other tissues, and the observation that aberrant activation of NF-kappaB can be associated with mammary tumors, we discuss the potential role of this transcription factor in modulating mammary epithelial apoptosis and involution of the mammary gland.