Evaluation of the role of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in liver injury using genetic animal models.

Most chronic liver diseases are not sufficiently treatable at present and very often progress to liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Several recent studies have suggested that cytokines and cytokine-activated inflammatory signaling pathways might play an important role in the mediation of liver injury. Although pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB have evolved primarily for host defense to infections, they appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and may mediate liver injury in response to a variety of agents and pathogens. Herein is summarized briefly some recent findings concerning the role of NF-kappaB in different models of liver injury based on transgenic and knockout animal technology.