The nuclear factor--kappa B pathway in atherosclerosis: a potential therapeutic target for atherothrombotic vascular disease.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a transcription factor belonging to 'Rel' family that represents a crucial intracellular signal transduction system involved in several inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis. Activation of NFκB mediated signal transduction has been established at different stages of atherosclerosis, beginning from plaque formation to its destabilization and rupture. The NFκB pathway is also involved in angiogenic, apoptotic and neoplastic processes. Experimental studies indicate that inhibition of these pathway may reduce inflammatory burden. The development of natural or pharmaceutical, selective and specific inhibitors of NFκB pathway over IκB kinase α or β, may ultimately prove to be promising anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and antiapoptotic therapeutic instruments that could potentially reduce inflammation, attenuate atherogenesis and prevent its complications.