Transcription factor NF-kappa B as a potential biomarker for oxidative stress

There is increasing interest in the involvement of transcription factors, s uch as of the transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB), in th e pathogenesis of various diseases. NF-kappaB is involved in the control of the transcription of a variety of cellular genes that regulate the inflamm atory response by the production of cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion mo lecules and acute phase proteins. The involvement of NF-kappaB is especiall y of interest as it is activated by oxidative stress and its activation can be modulated by antioxidant compounds. The activation of NF-kappaB can be determined by the electromobility shift assay (EMSA) with a NF-kappaB bindi ng-site-specific probe. EMSA can also be used on human mononuclear cells is olated from peripheral blood, which could make the assay applicable for cli nical trials. The critical steps of the EMSA are discussed, addressing some pitfalls of the assay. The procedure that can be used to express NF-kappaB activity in human subjects is evaluated. This offers the possibility to us e NF-kappaB as a functional biomarker of oxidative stress as illustrated by several examples of in vitro and in vivo studies.