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

Nuclear factor- Kappa B (NF- Kappa B) is a transcription factor which resides in its unactivated form in the cytoplasm. Following activation subsequent to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, NF- Kappa B 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- Kappa B needs to be examined critically, as it pertains to these reactive genes.