Induction of immune education in type 1 diabetes through controlled allogeneic islet rejection at onset: a monocentric open-label pilot study

Background: Current immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D) have shown limited success in durably preserving β-cell function. We tested a novel strategy that repurposes allogeneic islet transplantation not for metabolic replacement, but as a platform for antigen-specific immune education. Methods: In this monocentric, open-label pilot study (April 2015–April 2023), six patients with recent-onset T1D received a minimal islet mass (median 3452 IEQ/kg; range 2980–4050) combined with short-term immunomodulation (ATG, transient mTOR inhibition, and G-CSF). The transplanted islet mass was intentionally insufficient for metabolic replacement. The primary endpoint was the change in stimulated 2-h C-peptide AUC at 52 weeks. Exploratory endpoints included immune cell phenotyping, cytokine/chemokine profiling, miR-375 release kinetics, analysis of islet-related autoantibodies, and monitoring of donor-specific HLA antibodies.ClinicalTrials.govIdentifier:NCT02505893. Findings: The protocol was safe and well-tolerated. At 12 months, the median stimulated C-peptide AUC was preserved at 91–100% of baseline with all participants achieving a partial clinical remission (IDAA1c ≤ 9). At 5 years, median C-peptide AUC declined to 44–56% of baseline, with 2 patients maintaining stable secretion and 2 retaining ∼50% of initial function. Exploratory analyses demonstrated a structured pattern of immune resetting, with early lymphodepletion followed by memory and regulatory T-cell expansion; transient increases in IL-2 and IL-10; sustained early elevation of sCD25; biphasic miR-375 peaks indicating early β-cell stress; transient increases in autoantibodies without epitope spreading; and donor-specific class I HLA antibodies in five patients, with persistent class II DSA in two. No expansion of CD3+CD8+T cells specific for GAD65 was detected. Interpretation: This study introduces a paradigm shift in the use of islet transplantation—transforming it from a metabolic intervention into a tolerogenic stimulus through controlled antigen exposure. Further potentiation with stem-cell–derived islets may enable improved matching, graft modification, and iterative antigen delivery. Funding: Supported by Fondazione Italiana Diabete (FID). The funder had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, or decision to publish.