Emerging Strategies for Beta Cell Encapsulation for Type 1 Diabetes Therapy

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease affecting millions of people globally. To address this health challenge, advanced beta cell therapy using biomaterials-based macroscale, microscale, and nanoscale encapsulation devices must tackle various obstacles. First, overcoming foreign body responses is a major focus of research. Strategies such as immunomodulatory materials and physical immunoshielding are investigated to reduce the immune response and improve the longevity of the encapsulated cells. Furthermore, oxygenating strategies, such as the use of oxygen-releasing biomaterials, are developed to improve oxygen diffusion and promote cell survival. Finally, yet importantly, promoting vascularization through the use of angiogenic growth factors and the incorporation of pre-vascularized materials are also explored to enhance nutrient and oxygen supply to the encapsulated cells. This review seeks to specifically highlight the emerging research strategies developed to overcome these challenges using micro and nanoscale biomaterial encapsulation devices. Continuously improving and refining these strategies make an advance toward realizing the improved therapeutic potential of the encapsulated beta cells.