Roles of the integrated stress response in regulation of inflammatory reactions

TL;DR

This paper reviews how the integrated stress response may help reduce inflammation and could be a target for new therapies.

Contribution

It compiles experimental evidence showing the anti-inflammatory potential of the integrated stress response.

Findings

ISR activation leads to reduced protein synthesis and may suppress inflammation.

In vitro and in vivo studies support the anti-inflammatory role of ISR.

ISR is proposed as a potential target for developing anti-inflammatory drugs.

Abstract

The integrated stress response (ISR) is a conserved cyto-protective mechanism, which has fundamental roles in maintaining cell viability under various conditions when intracellular and/or extracellular homeostasis is disrupted. ISR features phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), leading to a global reduction in protein synthesis. Emerging evidence suggests that activation of ISR may have anti-inflammatory effects. In this concise review, we summarize the current experimental evidence in this regard from both in vitro and in vivo studies. It is suggested that ISR may represent a potential drug target for developing novel anti-inflammatory therapies.

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