Overexpression of dnIKK in mesenchymal stem cells leads to increased migration and decreased invasion upon TNFα stimulation.

•HMSC were successfully transduced with a dominant-negative mutant of IκB kinase 2.•Characterization of dnIkk MSC showed unaltered expression of TNFα receptors.•3-D invasion towards the TNFα was significantly reduced after blocking IKK-2.•2-D migration assay revealed a strong migratory response of hMSC towards TNFα.•Blocking of IKK-2 resulted in a significantly increased 2-D migration of hMSC.