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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
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Effects of toxicants on endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatic cell fate determination

Jihoon Tak1, Sang Geon Kim1

  • 1College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang-si, Kyeonggi-do 10326 Republic of Korea.

Toxicological Research
|October 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Toxicant-induced liver injury involves complex cell death pathways linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Understanding ER stress mechanisms is key to developing treatments for toxicant-induced injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Toxicant-induced injury is a major global health concern.
  • Mechanisms of toxicant-induced liver toxicity are complex, involving multiple cell death pathways.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is closely linked to toxicant-induced cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular basis of toxicant-induced ER stress.
  • To summarize agents triggering ER stress-mediated cell death.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for toxicant-induced injury.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of toxicant-induced cell death mechanisms.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in ER stress.
  • Examination of unfolded protein response (UPR) in cell fate determination.

Main Results:

  • Toxicants trigger complex signaling pathways, oxidative stress, inflammation, and death receptor activation.
  • ER stress initiates the unfolded protein response (UPR), influencing cell survival or death.
  • ER stress mediates various cell death forms including apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehending ER stress-mediated cell death is crucial for preventing and treating toxicant-induced injuries.
  • Identifying molecular targets within ER stress pathways offers therapeutic potential.
  • Further research into ER stress mechanisms can advance the management of liver toxicity.
Keywords:
Cell deathER stressToxicant-induced liver injuryUnfolded protein response

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