Cellular Specificity of NF-κB Function in the Nervous System

Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor with key functions in a wide array of biological systems. While the role of NF-kappa B in processes, such as host immunity and oncogenesis has been more clearly defined, an understanding of the basic functions of NF-kappa B in the nervous system has lagged behind. The vast cell-type heterogeneity within the central nervous system (CNS) and the interplay between cell-type specific roles of NF-kappa B contributes to the complexity of understanding NF-kappa B functions in the brain. In this review, we will focus on the emerging understanding of cell-autonomous regulation of NF-kappa B signaling as well as the non-cell-autonomous functional impacts of NF-kappa B activation in the mammalian nervous system. We will focus on recent work which is unlocking the pleiotropic roles of NF-kappa B in neurons and glial cells (including astrocytes and microglia). Normal physiology as well as disorders of the CNS in which NF-kappa B signaling has been implicated will be discussed with reference to the lens of cell-type specific responses.