Subversion of innate immune responses by bacterial hindrance of NF‐κB pathway

Summary Bacterial infections cause substantial mortality and burden of disease globally. Induction of a strong innate inflammatory response is the first common host mechanism required for elimination of the invading pathogens. The host transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) is essential for immune activation. Conversely, bacterial pathogens have evolved strategies to interfere directly with host cell signalling by regulating or mimicking host proteins. Given the key role of NF‐κB in the host inflammatory response, bacteria have expectedly developed virulence effectors interfering with NF‐κB signalling pathways. In this review, we explore the bacterial mechanisms utilized to prevent effective NF‐κB signalling, which in turn usurp the host inflammatory response.