NF-kappaB and Apoptosis in Mammary Epithelial Cells

A number of transcription factors have beenidentified as regulators of mammary development,including Stat5 and C/EBPβ (1-3). In this review wesummarize evidence which suggests that the NF-κBfamily of transcription factors also has a role inmammary gland development. NF-κB was originallydescribed as a mediator of inflammatory reactions andcellular responses to viral pathogens. More recently it has been shown to possess an anti-apoptoticeffect in a variety of cell types by regulatingapoptosis-related genes. In the light of this functionin other tissues, and the observation that aberrant activation of NF-κB can be associatedwith mammary tumors, we discuss the potential role ofthis transcription factor in modulating mammaryepithelial apoptosis and involution of the mammarygland.