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The New insights from DPP‐4 inhibitors: their potential immune modulatory function in autoimmune diabetes
Author(s) -
Zhao Yunjuan,
Yang Lin,
Wang Xiangbing,
Zhou Zhiguang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.2530
Subject(s) - autoimmunity , diabetes mellitus , immunology , immune system , autoimmune disease , medicine , autoimmune diabetes , type 1 diabetes , t cell , dipeptidyl peptidase , endocrinology , biology , antibody , enzyme , biochemistry
Summary Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors are a new class of anti‐diabetic agents that are widely used in clinical practice to improve glycemic control and protect β ‐cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. DPP‐4 is also known as lymphocyte cell surface protein CD26 and plays an important role in T‐cell immunity. Autoimmune diabetes, a T‐cell mediated organ‐specific disease, is initiated by the imbalance between pathogenic and regulatory T‐lymphocytes. DPP‐4 inhibitors can suppress pathogenic effects of Th1 and Th17 cells and up‐regulate Th2 cells and regulatory T cells, which play a critical role in ameliorating autoimmune diabetes. This provides a basis for the potential use of DPP‐4 inhibitors in the treatment of autoimmune diabetes. Recent studies suggest that DPP‐4 inhibitors improve β ‐cell function and attenuate autoimmunity in type 1 diabetic mouse models. However, there are few clinical studies on the treatment of autoimmune diabetes with DPP‐4 inhibitors. Further studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic effects of DPP‐4 inhibitors on autoimmune diabetes in humans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.