Application potential of induced pluripotent stem cells in the research and treatment of autoimmune diseases (Review).

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases are typically accompanied by chronic inflammation and tissue damage, which markedly impact the quality of life of patients. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), owing to their unlimited proliferative capacity and pluripotency, demonstrate unique advantages in the field of regenerative medicine. iPSCs can be induced to differentiate into various functional cells in vitro providing potentially important tools for disease modeling, drug screening and cell therapy. For example, iPSCs can be directed to generate cardiomyocytes, dopaminergic neurons, hepatocyte‑like cells and pancreatic β‑cells, highlighting their broad potential for translational applications. For treating autoimmune diseases, iPSCs can be utilized for tissue repair, replacement therapy and the induction of cells with immunoregulatory functions. The present review summarizes the latest advancements in iPSC technology and its research in various autoimmune diseases, including MS, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes and systemic sclerosis. The present study also discusses the main challenges in the application of iPSCs, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for developing novel therapeutic strategies.