Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors: Applications in innate immunity?

Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors are a class of orally available, small molecule inhibitors that prolong the insulinotropic activity of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and are highly effective for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes. DPP4 can also cleave several immunoregulatory peptides including chemokines. Emerging evidence continues to implicate DPP4 inhibitors as immunomodulators, with recent findings suggesting DPP4 inhibitors modify specific aspects of innate immunity. This review summarises recent insights into how DPP4 inhibitors could be implicated in endothelial, neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage mediated immunity. Additionally, this review highlights additional avenues of research with DPP4 inhibitors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automated summary

DPP-4 inhibitors are small molecule inhibitors that prolong the insulinotropic activity of GLP-1 and are highly effective for treating Type-2 diabetes. Recent evidence suggests that DPP-4 inhibitors may also have immunomodulatory effects, particularly on aspects of innate immunity. Further research on the use of DPP-4 inhibitors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted.