abstract |
The present invention provides cell permeable NF-κB inhibitors consist of a polypeptide derived from the p65 subunit of NF-κB and a protein transduction domain derived from antennapedia third helix sequence. The inhibitor suppressed NF-κB activation induced by TNF, LPS, IL-1, okadaic acid, PMA, H 2 O 2 and cigarette smoke condensate. NF-κB-regulated reporter gene expression induced by TNF, TNFR1, TRADD, TRAF2, NIK, IKK and p65 was suppressed by the inhibitor. The inhibitor enhanced TNF- and chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis. Overall these results demonstrate a NF-κB inhibitor that can selectively inhibit NF-κB activation induced by various inflammatory stimuli, down-regulate NF-κB mediated gene expression and upregulate apoptosis. |