[Endoplasmic reticulum stress: from physiology to pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes]

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a dysfunction of pancreatic β cells producing insulin and by impaired insulin responses in liver and skeletal muscle. This dysregulation of insulin secretion and action leads to chronic hyperglycaemia. The main causes that have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes are lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation. Interestingly, these alterations converge towards the activation of a cellular pathway called "Unfolded Protein Response" which is set up in β cells and insulin-sensitive tissues. This cellular pathway is central to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and emerges as an important therapeutic target in the treatment of this disease.