Title:Unfolded Protein Response Signaling in Hepatic Stem Cell Activation in
Liver Fibrosis
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Author(s): Zohreh Salimi, Mehdi Rostami, Yaser Eshaghi Milasi, Alireza Mafi, Ramin Raoufinia, Amirhossein Kiani, Fariba Sakhaei, Behrooz Ghezelbash, Alexandra E. Butler, Maryam Mohammad-Sadeghipour*Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Afzalipoor Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Stresses, endoplasmic reticulum, hepatic satellite cells, unfolded protein response, liver fibrosis, drug therapy.
Abstract: Frequent exposure to various external and internal adverse forces (stresses) disrupts cell
protein homeostasis through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) capacity saturation. This process leads to
the unfolded protein response (UPR), which aims to re-establish/maintain optimal cellular equilibrium.
This complex mechanism is involved in the pathogenesis of various disorders, such as
metabolic syndrome, fibrotic diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer, by altering cellular
metabolic changes integral to activating the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The development of hepatic
fibrosis is one of the consequences of UPR activation. Therefore, novel therapies that target
the UPR pathway effectively and specifically are being studied. This article covers the involvement
of the UPR signaling pathway in cellular damage in liver fibrosis. Investigating the pathogenic
pathways related to the ER/UPR stress axis that contribute to liver fibrosis can help to guide future
drug therapy approaches.