microRNAs in Type 1 Diabetes: Roles, Pathological Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the progressive destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to insulin deficiency. The primary drivers of β-cell destruction in T1D involve autoimmune-mediated processes that trigger chronic inflammation and ultimately β-cell loss. Regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in modulating these processes by regulating gene expression through post-transcriptional suppression of target mRNAs. Dysregulated miRNAs have been implicated in T1D pathogenesis, serving as both potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review explores the role of miRNAs in T1D, highlighting their involvement in disease mechanisms across both rodent models and human patients. While current anti-diabetic therapies manage T1D symptoms, they do not prevent β-cell destruction, leaving patients reliant on lifelong insulin therapy. By summarizing key upregulated and downregulated miRNAs in diabetic models and patients, this review discusses the potential of miRNA-based therapies to restore β-cell function and modify disease progression.