Protection factors used to improve in vivo islet function

The number of preclinical studies that use drugs or endogenous factors for various targetable sites aiming to improve islet function and engraftment has recently gained more interest. Several molecules have been proposed to support and augment the functionality of islets. Here, we review five different classes of beta cell protection factors, classified as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, vascularization enhancers, and promoter of beta cell proliferation and function and their effect on islet grafting and function after transplantation in animal models of type 1 diabetes.