TNF-α, both an inducer and target of NF-κB increased ROS formation, apoptosis and endothelial dysfunction in rat carotid arteries, while TNF-α inhibition resulted in vasculo-protective effects, suggesting an association between NF-κB activation and ageing associated atherosclerosis (Csiszar et al., 2007). Here, NFKB1 is linked to endothelial dysfunction.