The Current Status and Challenges of the Application of Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a category of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by prolonged elevation of blood glucose levels. It is mainly classified into T1DM (type 1 diabetes mellitus), type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, and other specific types of diabetes. Among these, the core pathological feature of T1DM is the absolute deficiency of insulin due to immune-mediated destruction of β-cells. Therefore, patients with T1DM require lifelong exogenous insulin therapy. Islet transplantation holds promise for enabling diabetic patients to achieve freedom from exogenous insulin therapy. However, the severe shortage of donor islets has prompted the exploration of alternative cell sources. hPSC-islets (human pluripotent stem cell-derived islets) can theoretically provide an unlimited cell supply, offering a new source for islet transplantation. This article provides a detailed explanation of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus, reviews the differentiation strategies of hPSC-islets and the progress of clinical trials for treating type 1 diabetes mellitus, and analyzes the risks and challenges associated with this therapeutic approach.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2026.07.0013