Update on the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in asthma

Asthma has long attracted extensive attention because of its recurring symptoms of reversible airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation. Although accumulating evidence has enabled gradual increases in understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma, many questions regarding the mechanisms underlying asthma onset and progression remain unanswered. Recent advances delineating the potential functions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in meeting the need for an airway hypersensitivity response have revealed critical roles of unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways in asthma. In this review, we highlight the roles of ER stress and UPR activation in the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of asthma and discuss whether the related mechanisms could be targets for therapeutic strategies.