Rational Engineering of Islet Tolerance via Biomaterial-Mediated Immune Modulation

Natalie Klug, Jacqueline Burke, Evan Scott*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset is characterized by an autoimmune attack on β islet cells within the pancreas, preventing the insulin secretion required to maintain glucose homeostasis. Targeted modulation of key immunoregulatory cell populations is a promising strategy to restore tolerance to β cells. This strategy can be used to prevent T1D onset or reverse T1D with transplanted islets. To this end, drug delivery systems can be employed to transport immunomodulatory cargo to specific cell populations that inhibit autoreactive T cell_mediated destruction of the β cell mass. The rational engineering of biomaterials into nanoscale and microscale drug carriers can facilitate targeted interactions with immune cells. The physicochemical properties of the biomaterial, the delivered immunomodulatory agent, and the target cell populations are critical variables in the design of these delivery systems. In this review, we discuss recent biomaterialsbased drug delivery approaches to induce islet tolerance and the need to consider both immune and metabolic markers of disease progression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)216-224
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume212
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2024

Funding

This work was supported by Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Grant R21AI159795 and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Grant 3-SRA-2023-1389-S-B.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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