The Role of Estrogens in Pancreatic Islet Physiopathology

International audienceIn rodent models of insulin-deficient diabetes, 17β-estradiol (E2) protects pancreatic insulin-producing β-cells against oxidative stress, amyloid polypeptide toxicity, gluco-lipotoxicity, and apoptosis. Three estrogen receptors (ERs)-ERα, ERβ, and the G protein-coupled ER (GPER)-have been identified in rodent and human β-cells. This chapter describes recent advances in our understanding of the role of ERs in islet β-cell function, nutrient homeostasis, survival from pro-apoptotic stimuli, and proliferation. We discuss why and how ERs represent potential therapeutic targets for the maintenance of functional β-cell mass