Endoplasmic reticulum stress in disease pathogenesis: its implications for therapy

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a critical cellular mechanism implicated in disease development.
• The unfolded protein response (UPR), with its IRE1, ATF6, and PERK branches, governs cellular adaptation to stress.
• Dysregulated ER stress contributes to diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and autoimmune disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review current findings on ER stress signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms.
• To examine the role of ER stress in diverse disease contexts.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting ER stress modulation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review and integration of current research findings.
• Analysis of signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms of ER stress.
• Examination of ER stress's role in various pathologies and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

• ER stress influences protein homeostasis, cellular adaptation, and apoptosis via UPR pathways.
• ER stress plays a significant role in cancer progression, immune evasion, and other major diseases.
• Targeting ER stress pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for disease management.

Conclusions:

• Understanding ER stress and UPR is crucial for comprehending disease pathogenesis.
• Modulating ER stress pathways holds therapeutic potential across a spectrum of diseases.
• This review guides future research and clinical efforts in ER stress-related therapeutics.