Is nuclear factor-κB a good treatment target in brain ischemia/reperfusion injury?

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor which resides in its unactivated form in the cytoplasm. Following activation subsequent to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, NF-κB acts on genes for cytokines, adhesion molecules, nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, metalloproteinase-9, and perhaps apoptotic genes. These genes have a variety of positive and negative influences on the outcome of brain injury. The effect of manipulation of NF-κB needs to be examined critically, as it pertains to these reactive genes. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.