Role and mechanism of pancreatic β-cell death in diabetes: The emerging role of autophagy

Pancreatic beta-cell failure resulting from decreased beta-cell mass or dysfunction is the ultimate step towards most types of diabetes. Even if insulin resistance exists, diabetes does not develop unless pancreatic beta-cell function or its adaptation is compromised. Classically, two types of cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) have been studied in the diabetes field. Recently, a third type of cell death (autophagy, sometimes called type 2 programmed cell death in comparison with apoptosis, type 1 programmed cell death) and its pathophysiological role have been recognized and are being investigated. In the present review, we will discuss the role of various types of cell death in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Specifically, we will briefly cover recent progress regarding the role of autophagy in diabetes, which is becoming a hot topic in diabetes and metabolism. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00054.x, 2010)