Effect of NF-κB Inhibition on TNF-α–Induced Apoptosis in Human RPE Cells

Abstract

Purpose. In many cell types, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α–induced apoptosis is prevented by production of TNF-α–induced antiapoptotic protein, a process mediated by nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB. TNF-α is widely expressed in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) membranes and is present in the vitreous of eyes with PVR. To understand mechanisms responsible for RPE cell survival and death in this disease, this study was conducted to determine whether specific NF-κB blockade by mutant inhibitory (I)-κB (IκB) affects TNF-α–induced cell death.