Reining in nuclear factor-kappaB in skeletal muscle disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation is associated with a wide range of muscle-related diseases. Here, we review the evidence implicating specific NF-κB components in different disease pathologies and discuss therapies designed to target aberrant NF-κB signaling for the treatment of those pathologies. RECENT FINDINGS: Many components of the NF-κB signaling pathway contribute to muscle pathologies, presumably through activation of the transcription factor. In addition, an increasing number of upstream factors have been connected to disease progression. Genetic models and therapeutic approaches affecting these upstream targets associate with ameliorating disease progression. SUMMARY: Dissecting the crosstalk between NF-κB, its upstream mediators, and other signaling pathways is vital to our understanding of how activation of this signaling pathway is mediated in various diseases. The strides made in therapeutically inhibiting the NF-κB pathway provide some promise for the treatment of these diseases.