Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of immune tolerance:roles of the NF-κB family members

Immune tolerance is a highly regulated state and involves diverse mechanisms.Central to the induction of tolerance is the targeted modulation of T-cell activities(both effector and regulatory),in which transcription factors play a significant role.The nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)family is a family of transcription factors that not only are critically involved in diverse T-cell responses but also are regulated by many mechanisms to maintain tolerance and T-cell homeostasis.NF-κB,as a transcription factor,has been extensively studied in recent decades,and the molecular mechanisms that regulate NF-κB activities have been well documented.However,recent studies have revealed exciting new roles for NF-κB;in addition to its transcriptional activity,NF-κB can also activate diverse epigenetic mechanisms that mediate extensive chromatin remodeling of target genes to regulate T-cell activities.In this review article,we highlight recent discoveries and emerging opportunities in targeting NF-κB family members as well as their associated chromatin modifiers in the induction of immune tolerance and in the clinical treatment of immune diseases.