NFKB1 and viral infectious disease: The activation of NF-κB is thought to be part of a stress response as it is activated by a variety of stimuli that include Bacterial and viral infections (e.g., through recognition of microbial products by receptors such as the Toll-like receptors), proinflammatory cytokines and antigen receptor engagement, which all lead to activation of NF-κB (1).