Engineering the pancreatic niche: Mechanobiological insights into stem cell-derived β-cell therapy for diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus remains a growing global health burden, yet advances in mechanobiology highlight a pivotal role for mechanical cues in regulating pancreatic β-cell function. This review summarizes evidence that the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding pancreatic islets is not merely structural support but a dynamic mechanosignaling platform integrating biochemical and physical stimuli to govern β-cell fate. In healthy tissue, a compliant ECM enriched in collagen IV and laminin supports optimal insulin secretion and glucose responsiveness. In contrast, obesity- and diabetes-associated fibrosis induces excessive ECM deposition, aberrant crosslinking, and pathological stiffening, disrupting mechanosensing,…

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  Soonchunhyang University