The Role of HMGB1 in the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes

Figure 1

Potential involvement of HMGB1 in type 2 diabetes. Early inflammation in adipose tissue and pancreatic islets leads to the necrosis of adipose-derived stromal cells and islet cells. Necrotic cells release HMGB1, activating TLRs and RAGE on macrophages and dendritic cells. Activation of TLRs and RAGE leads to the translocation of NF-κB into nucleus to promote the expression of inflammatory gene, which contributes to the secretion of proinflammatory cytokine, including HMGB1. In addition, activated macrophages and dendritic cells actively secrete HMGB1, which, in turn, exacerbate the necrosis of adipose tissue and pancreatic islets.