NF-kappa B in rheumatoid arthritis: a pivotal regulator of inflammation, hyperplasia, and tissue destruction

The transcription factor NF-kappaB has been well recognized as a pivotal regulator of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but recent developments revealed a broad involvement of NF-kappaB in other aspects of RA pathology, including development of T helper 1 responses, activation, abnormal apoptosis and proliferation of RA fibroblast-like synovial cells, and differentiation and activation of bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. In agreement with this, studies in animal models of RA have demonstrated the high therapeutic efficacy of specific inhibitors of NF-kappaB pathway, indicating the feasibility of anti-NF-kappaB therapy for human disease.