Overexpression of cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis via NF-κB in mesenchymal stem cells

► CREG protected MSCs from tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced apoptosis. ► CREG inhibits the phosphorylation of IκBα and prevents the activation of NF-κB. ► CREG inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation and pro-apoptosis protein transcription. ► CREG anti-apoptotic effect involves inhibition of the death receptor pathway. ► p53 is downregulated by CREG via NF-κB pathway under TNF-α stimulation.