UPR induced by Brefeldin A in hepatic stellate cells causes an increase in collagen I mRNA levels.
IRE1α and p38 MAPK mediate Smad3 activation and collagen I enhancement in hepatic stellate cells.
Activation of p38 MAPK in response to Brefeldin A is IRE1α-dependent.
The increase in collagen I levels caused by UPR occurs through IRE1α-p38 MAPK-Smad3 activation.