Exercise-Induced Immune Modulation in Type 1 Diabetes: From Mechanisms to Clinical Perspectives

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease driven by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells. While technological advances in insulin delivery and glucose monitoring have improved glycemic management, they do not address the underlying autoimmune process. Identifying low-risk adjunct strategies that can modulate immune dysfunction therefore remains a clinical and translational priority. Physical exercise is a cornerstone of type 1 diabetes management for its metabolic benefits, yet its potential role as an immunomodulatory intervention has received comparatively little attention. This review critically examines current evidence on exercise-induced immune modulation in type 1 diabetes. We first summarize the effects of exercise on innate and adaptive immunity, including changes in immune-cell phenotypes, cytokine and chemokine profiles, and muscle-derived mediators. We then synthesize preclinical data from rodent models and human β-cell systems showing that exercise reduces islet inflammation, limits immune-cell infiltration, protects β-cells from cytokine-induced injury, and induces anti-inflammatory exerkines such as meteorin-like protein and irisin. Finally, we review available clinical evidence in individuals with type 1 diabetes, including observational and interventional studies linking higher levels of physical activity to longer partial remission, reduced progression of islet autoimmunity, and anti-inflammatory immune signatures. Overall, although direct clinical evidence remains limited, converging preclinical and early human data support a biologically plausible immunoregulatory role for exercise in type 1 diabetes. We discuss therapeutic perspectives where structured exercise may act as a low-risk cotherapy, particularly early after diagnosis or in combination with emerging immunotherapies, and highlight key priorities for future clinical trials.