Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Drug- and Environmental Toxicant-Induced Liver Toxicity

Abstract

Liver injury resulting from exposure to drugs and environmental chemicals is a major health problem. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) is considered to be an important factor in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, neurological and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. The role of ER stress in drug-induced and environmental toxicant-induced liver toxicity has been underestimated in the past; emerging evidence indicates that ER stress makes a substantial contribution to the pathogenesis of drug-induced liver toxicity. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on drugs and environmental toxicants that trigger ER stress in liver and on the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also discuss experimental approaches for ER stress studies.

Keywords:

• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
• liver toxicity
• signaling pathways

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

SC was supported by appointments to the Postgraduate Research Program at the National Center for Toxicological Research administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education through an interagency agreement between the US Department of Energy and the US FDA.