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Assays for the Degradation of Misfolded Proteins in Cells
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Assays for the Degradation of Misfolded Proteins in Cells

Published on: August 28, 2016

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Protein Misfolding and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Chronic Lung Disease: Will Cell-Specific Targeting Be the Key

Safaa Naiel1, Victor Tat1, Manreet Padwal1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Chest
|November 29, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response are implicated in chronic lung diseases. Understanding cell-specific roles is key for developing targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic lung diseases represent a major global health challenge, characterized by significant mortality, disability, and healthcare expenses.
  • The complex cellular and molecular underpinnings of these diseases necessitate deeper investigation due to limited therapeutic options.
  • Diverse lung cell populations likely play distinct roles in disease initiation, progression, and resolution, influencing therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response in chronic lung disease pathogenesis.
  • To emphasize the critical need for elucidating the specific cellular contributions to disease progression driven by these pathways.
  • To advocate for the development of cell-specific targeted therapies for chronic lung diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in chronic lung diseases.
  • Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms linking these pathways to disease pathophysiology.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on cell-type specific roles in disease development and resolution.

Main Results:

  • Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response are increasingly recognized as key players in the development of various chronic lung diseases.
  • Aberrant activation of these conserved cellular pathways, crucial for proteostasis, can lead to pathological conditions.
  • The net effect of therapies may vary depending on their impact across different lung cell types.

Conclusions:

  • A deeper understanding of cell-specific roles in unfolded protein response activation is crucial for comprehending chronic lung disease pathology.
  • Targeted therapies that consider the distinct cellular contributions to disease are likely essential for improving treatment outcomes.
  • Advancing cell-specific therapeutic strategies holds promise for reducing disease progression and promoting resolution in chronic lung conditions.
Keywords:
COPDalpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiencyasthmachronic lung diseasescystic fibrosisendoplasmic reticulum stresspulmonary arterial hypertensionpulmonary fibrosispulmonary surfactant mutation-induced interstitial lung diseaseunfolded protein response

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