1. Involvement of the nuclear factor-κB pathway in the pathogenesis of endometriosis 
Reinaldo González-Ramos, M.D., Ph.D., Anne Van Langendonckt, Ph.D., Sylvie Defrère, Ph.D., Jean-Christophe Lousse, M.D., Sebastien Colette, B.Sc., Luigi Devoto, M.D., Jacques Donnez, M.D., Ph.D. 
Fertility and Sterility 
Volume 94, Issue 6, Pages (November 2010)
DOI: /j.fertnstert
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) subunits and dimers and IκBα protein. RHD: Rel homology domain, responsible for DNA binding, dimerization, and association with IκB proteins; TAD: transcriptional activation domain; AR: ankyrin repeats, responsible for cytoplasmic retention and inhibition of NF-κB (preventing DNA binding). Peptides p50 and p52 derive from precursor proteins p105 and p100 and lack a TAD. Dimers in the fifth row therefore lack TADs. Dimers in the final row are not able to bind to DNA. Adapted from references (41) and (42).
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation pathways. UV: ultraviolet radiation; LTβR: lymphotoxin-β receptor; BAFF: B-cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family; LMP1: latent membrane protein-1; Tyr K: tyrosine kinase; CK2: casein kinase-II; P: phosphorylation; UB: ubiquitination; NIK: NF-κB-inducing kinase. Adapted from references (30) and (43).
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

4. Figure 3
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in endometriosis. Activated macrophages secrete cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which activate NF-κB in endometriotic cells (EcCs) and macrophages, amplifying the inflammatory response. Iron overload in the peritoneal cavity and in peritoneal macrophages may impair macrophage phagocytic function and activate NF-κB. Iron could also activate NF-κB in EcCs. NF-κB activation in EcCs enhances synthesis of proinflammatory mediators as well as factors of antiapoptosis, growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. NF-κB transcriptional activity could also be responsible for ICAM-1 and RANTES expression and secretion, attracting more macrophages to sites of inflammation.
Fertility and Sterility  , DOI: ( /j.fertnstert )
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions