Deficiency of αB crystallin augments ER stress-induced apoptosis by enhancing mitochondrial dysfunction

▸ ER stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. ▸ ER stress in RPE results in apoptosis from activation of caspases−4 and −3. ▸ ER stress-mediated apoptosis in RPE involves PERK-eIf2α, ATF6, and CHOP. ▸ αB Crystallin deficiency in RPE augments ER stress-induced apoptosis. ▸ αB Crystallin overexpression protects RPE from ER stress-induced apoptosis.