[The coupling of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases]

Recent studies indicate that increasing protein synthesis in cells beyond the capacity for folding of nascent polypeptides or accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen will disrupt ER homeostasis and trigger the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER stress or UPR is not only critical for cell homeostasis and embryogenesis, but ERS/UPR can initiate inflammatory responses in specialized cells and tissues to participate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Here, we summarize recent progresses in the roles of UPR and inflammation coupling in the pathogenesis of human chronic diseases, by which may result in approaches to manipulate ERS-UPR-inflammation and to provide therapeutic opportunity for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.