Autophagy and type 2 diabetes: Bridging the gap in metabolic health

Autophagy is a catabolic process key in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in response to intracellular stress, and able to sense and transmit metabolic changes within tissues. Therefore, autophagy has emerged as a key process for metabolic homeostasis at whole body level. In this regard, alterations in autophagy are associated with the development of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Impairment in autophagy in metabolically relevant tissues including liver, muscle, adipose tissue and pancreatic β-cells, results in a further aggravation of diabetes-related metabolic alterations. This Review offers a comprehensive overview of our current understanding of autophagy and its role in the pathophysiology of T2D. Importantly, due to the relevance of autophagy in the development of T2D, we also summarize recent advancements in interventions and therapies targeting autophagy, providing insights into its therapeutic potential to combat this disease.