Engineered in vitro systems have the potential to revolutionize our understanding metabolic diseases and the countless roles β‐cells play in them. Many different sources of insulin‐secreting cells are available for engineered systems each with their own strengths and weaknesses pertinent specific downstream applications. For example, high throughput studies require large numbers of cells allowing cell lines and stem cell‐derived β‐cells to be suitable sources. However, functional studies into β‐cell physiology as well as organ‐organ interactions require physiologically mature cell types that more closely mimic human biology. This review covers specific sources insulin‐secreting cells as well as applications in fluidic culture devices and high throughput methodologies as they pertain to the study of β‐cell physiology with a focus on diabetes.
Abstract
Strategies to mitigate the pathologies from diabetes range from simply administering insulin to prescribing complex drug/biologic regimens combined with lifestyle changes. There is a substantial effort to better understand β‐cell physiology during diabetes pathogenesis as a means to develop improved therapies. The convergence of multiple fields ranging from developmental biology to microfluidic engineering has led to the development of new experimental systems to better study complex aspects of diabetes and β‐cell biology. Here we discuss the available insulin‐secreting cell types used in research, ranging from primary human β‐cells, to cell lines, to pluripotent stem cell‐derived β‐like cells. Each of these sources possess inherent strengths and weaknesses pertinent to specific applications, especially in the context of engineered platforms. We then outline how insulin‐expressing cells have been used in engineered platforms and how recent advances allow for better mimicry of in vivo conditions. Chief among these conditions are β‐cell interactions with other endocrine organs. This facet is beginning to be thoroughly addressed by the organ‐on‐a‐chip community, but holds enormous potential in the development of novel diabetes therapeutics. Furthermore, high throughput strategies focused on studying β‐cell biology, improving β‐cell differentiation, or proliferation have led to enormous contributions in the field and will no doubt be instrumental in bringing new diabetes therapeutics to the clinic.