[Inflammation, prelude to renal sclerosis: the importance of NF-kappa B].

NF-kappa B comprises a family of transcription factors. These are thought to have a central role in the expression of genes involved in cell mobilization, cell proliferation and cell differentiation, and, hence, in inflammation, repair and fibrosis processes. In particular, NF-kappa B activation appears to drive a number of inflammatory diseases of the kidney and their progression to end-stage renal failure. Thus, targeting NF-kappa B activation would lead to the development of new pharmaceutical compounds that would provide novel treatment for these diseases.