Long-range transcriptional regulation of cytokine gene expression

The activation of B and T cells by a wide range of stimuli can rapidly induce specific gene expression via a mechanism that promotes the nuclear translocation of different Rel/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors which are normally resident in the cytoplasm. Recent findings highlight the crucial roles of specific Rel/NF-κB family members in the processes of cell division, apoptosis and differentiation that accompany lymphocyte activation.