NF-κB signaling pathway

NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is a transcription factor family that regulates inflammatory and immune responses. In resting cells, NF-κB is sequestered in the cytoplasm by IκB inhibitors. Upon stimulation (LPS, TNF-α, IL-1), IκB is phosphorylated and degraded, freeing NF-κB to translocate to the nucleus. Peptides that modulate NF-κB include BPC-157 (suppresses activation) and KPV (α-MSH-derived anti-inflammatory tripeptide). NF-κB reporter assays are standard for quantifying anti-inflammatory peptide activity.