Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4: Potential Pathogenic Roles in Diabetic Complications and More

Both the disruption of endothelial homeostasis and tissue fibrosis are characteristics of diabetic complications. Accumulating evidence has revealed the significant role of vascular endothelial cells in tissue fibrogenesis via endothelial-mesenchymal transition （EndMT）.
We have recently focused on the overexpression of endothelial dipeptidyl peptidase （DPP）-4, a critical pathological feature of the molecular mechanisms of EndMT, and suggest that DPP-4 inhibitors have great therapeutic potential via their antifibrotic effects. However, the diverse pleiotropic effects of DPP-4, both its enzyme-dependent and enzyme-independent effects, can be detrimental in some cases. This review provides an update on the biology of DPP-4, a profibrotic molecule, in addition to a discussion of cancer biology.