内质网 (ER) 是真核细胞中的关键细胞器，负责多种重要功能，包括蛋白质的修饰、折叠和运输，以及脂质的生物合成和细胞内钙稳态的维持。多种因素可以破坏内质网的功能，导致未折叠和错误折叠的蛋白质在其范围内聚集并诱导内质网应激。被称为未折叠蛋白反应 (UPR) 的保守信号传导事件级联已经发展到可以减轻 ER 内的负担并恢复 ER 稳态。然而，这些过程最终会导致细胞死亡，而内质网应激会长期持续且水平升高。本综述总结了 ER 应激和 UPR 在决定细胞命运和功能的各种疾病中的潜在作用，包括心血管疾病、神经退行性疾病、代谢疾病、自身免疫性疾病、纤维化疾病、病毒感染和癌症。它还提出，操纵这种复杂的信号通路可能代表人类疾病背景下药物发现和创新治疗策略的新靶标。© 2024 作者。四川国际医学交流中心出版的MedComm

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key organelle in eukaryotic cells, responsible for a wide range of vital functions, including the modification, folding, and trafficking of proteins, as well as the biosynthesis of lipids and the maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. A variety of factors can disrupt the function of the ER, leading to the aggregation of unfolded and misfolded proteins within its confines and the induction of ER stress. A conserved cascade of signaling events known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) has evolved to relieve the burden within the ER and restore ER homeostasis. However, these processes can culminate in cell death while ER stress is sustained over an extended period and at elevated levels. This review summarizes the potential role of ER stress and the UPR in determining cell fate and function in various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, viral infections, and cancer. It also puts forward that the manipulation of this intricate signaling pathway may represent a novel target for drug discovery and innovative therapeutic strategies in the context of human diseases.© 2024 The Author(s). MedComm published by Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association (SCIMEA) and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.