NF-κB cellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms and pathways: Therapeutic pattern or pseudoregulation?

As fascinating a molecule as it can potentially get, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a regulatory transcription factor, is as intriguing. NF-κB is a dimeric complex that controls the transcription of essential genes. NF-κB is involved in a variety of responses that play a pivotal role in regulating the immune response to inflammation, infection, and nociception. Aberrant regulation of NF-κB has been linked to certain conditions such as cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, septic shock, viral infection, and improper immune responses. Cellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms and pathways involving the regulation of this transcription factor are being unraveled. Therapeutic approaches have emerged underlying the regulatory impact of oligonucleotides/decoys and other non-decoy inhibitors on NF-κB modulation. In this synopsis, we emphasize the role of decoy therapy in understanding the crucial influence of this transcription factor, and further weigh not only the efficacy of this therapeutic approach but also its necessity and contraindications.

► NF-κB decoys are synthetic oligonucleotides.
► NF-κB decoys are tailored for therapeutic purposes in combatting inflammatory diseases.
► NF-κB decoys can inhibit NF-κB at different bifurcations of the signaling pathway.
► The specificity of NF-κB decoys is of medical importance.