Figure 6.

Schematic graphical summary of the deleterious role of GRP78 in CS-induced necroptosis and injury in bronchial epithelium.

Notes: CS exposure induces GRP78 and subsequently elicits necroptosis in bronchial epithelium. GRP78 promotes CSE-induced pulmonary inflammation and mucus hyperproduction, likely through upregulation of necroptosis and subsequent activation of NF-κB and AP-1 pathways, eventually contributing to COPD development.

Abbreviations: CS, cigarette smoke; CSE, cigarette smoke extract; GRP78, glucose-regulated protein 78; NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB; AP-1, activator protein 1.