Emerging role of IRE1α in vascular diseases

Abstract

A mounting body of evidence suggests that the endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response are involved in the underlying mechanisms responsible for vascular diseases. Inositol‐requiring protein 1α (IRE1α), the most ancient branch among the UPR‐related signaling pathways, can possess both serine/threonine kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase) activity and can perform physiological and pathological functions. The IRE1α‐signaling pathway plays a critical role in the pathology of various vascular diseases. In this review, we provide a general overview of the physiological function of IRE1α and its pathophysiological role in vascular diseases.