Interplay Between NF-jB and Kruppel-like Factors in Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis: Location, Location, Location

A therosclerosis is a highly complex process involving thedynamic interplay between cell types intrinsic (eg, endothelial cells [ECs] and smooth muscle cells [SMCs]) and extrinsic (eg, lymphocytes and myeloid cells) to the blood vessel wall.1 Over the last several decades extensive work has been conducted that details the many molecular pathways involved in mediating the pathologic vascular inflammation that occurs in atherosclerosis. One of the most important factors in the regulation of this process is the transcription factor nuclear factor jB (NF-jB). NF-jB has been shown to regulate numerous genes involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, including genes involved in inflammation and immune cell regulation as well as apoptosis and cell proliferation.2,3 Genetic approaches have been utilized to identify the different mechanisms and cell type intrinsic actions of NF-jB in mediating atherosclerosis an