Cross-talk between nuclear receptors and nuclear factor κB

A variety of studies have shown that some activated nuclear receptors (NRs), especially the glucorticoid receptor, the estrogen receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, can inhibit the activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which plays a key role in the control of genes involved in inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. This review describes the molecular mechanisms of cross-talk between NRs and NF-κB and the biological relevance of this cross-talk. The importance and mechanistic aspects of selective NR modulation are discussed. Also included are future research prospects, which will lead to a new era in the field of NR research with the aim of specifically inhibiting NF-κB-driven gene expression for anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immune-modulatory purposes.