Abstract: Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important cellular self-protection mechanism. It can activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) that promotes cell survival, but sustained ERS will lead to cell apoptosis. There are a lot of endoplasmic reticulum in the liver cells, and many liver-related diseases are associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, toxic liver injury, viral hepatitis, hepatic malignant tumors and hepatic ischemia-perfusion injury. This article will summarize the role of ERS in the pathogenesis of liver-related diseases and the significance of intervention in liver disease.

Key words: endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, apoptosis, liver disease