NF-kappaB is activated and promotes cell death in focal cerebral ischemia

Nat Med. 1999 May;5(5):554-9. doi: 10.1038/8432.

Abstract

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is a regulator of cell death or survival. To investigate the role of NF-kappaB in neuronal cell death, we studied its activation in a rodent model of stroke. In the ischemic hemisphere, NF-kappaB was activated, as determined by increased expression of an NF-kappaB-driven reporter transgene, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB in neurons and enhanced DNA binding of NF-kappaB subunits RelA and p50. In p50 knockout mice, ischemic damage was significantly reduced. This indicates a cell death-promoting role of NF-kappaB in focal ischemia. NF-kappaB may provide a new pharmacological target in neurologic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain Ischemia / metabolism*
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology
  • Cell Death*
  • Cerebral Arteries / surgery
  • Cerebral Infarction / pathology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / metabolism*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / isolation & purification
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • Transcription Factor RelA