State of the Art of Bioengineering Approaches in Beta-Cell Replacement

Despite recent advancements in technology for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D), exogenous insulin delivery through automated devices remains the gold standard for treatment. This review will explore progress made in pancreatic islet bioengineering within the field of beta-cell replacement for T1D treatment.

First, we will focus on the use of decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) as a platform for pancreatic organoid development. These matrices preserve microarchitecture and essential biochemical signals for cell differentiation, offering a promising alternative to synthetic matrices. Second, advancements in 3D bioprinting for creating complex organ structures like pancreatic islets will be discussed. This technology allows for increased precision and customization of cellular models, crucial for replicating native pancreatic islet functionality. Finally, this review will explore the use of stem cell-derived organoids to generate insulin-producing islet-like cells. While these organoids face challenges such as functional immaturity and poor vascularization, they represent a significant advancement for disease modeling, drug screening, and autologous islet transplantation.

These innovative approaches promise to revolutionize T1D treatment by overcoming the limitations of traditional therapies based on human pancreatic islets.