核因子-κB的活化与动脉粥样硬化的启动

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in arteries. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB),a redox-sensitive transcription factor,has been indicated to play a critical role in both initiation and expansion of atherosclerosis. Activation of NF-κB activates a variety of target genes that promote inflammation,such as leukocyte adhesion molecules,cytokines,and chemokines,as well as genes that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Multiple risk factors relevant to atherosclerosis including hypertension,diabetes mellitus,smoking and lipoprotein disorders also activate NF-κB. Thus the activation of NF-κB may be linked to the onset of atherosclerosis.