NF-κB in DCs: it takes effort to be immature

The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) family of regulators is well known for mediating dendritic cell (DC) maturation-that is, the acquisition of the functions required for full activation of T cells. Paradoxically, a key member of this family, NF-kappa B1, is now also implicated in maintaining DCs in an immature state (pages 1663-1667).