Efferocytosis: An Emerging Therapeutic Strategy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Complications

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that chronic, low-grade inflammation is a significant contributor to the fundamental pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Efferocytosis, an effective way to eliminate apoptotic cells (ACs), plays a critical role in inflammation resolution. Massive accumulation of ACs and the proliferation of persistent inflammation caused by defective efferocytosis have been proven to be closely associated with pancreatic islet β cell destruction, adipose tissue inflammation, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and liver metabolism abnormalities, which together are considered the most fundamental pathological mechanism underlying T2DM. Therefore, here we outline the association between the molecular mechanisms of efferocytosis in glucose homeostasis, T2DM, and its complications, and we analyzed the present constraints and potential future prospects for therapeutic targets in T2DM and its complications.

Keywords:

• type 2 diabetes mellitus
• diabetes complications
• efferocytosis
• inflammation
• apoptosis

Acknowledgments

We thank LetPub for its linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript. Figures were created with BioRender.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the Science and Technology Innovation Team Project of Hunan Province (2020RC4050), Hunan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Program Project (E2022010) and Hunan Province Graduate Research Innovation Project (QL20210175).