LAUSR

CD26/DPP4 is an exopeptidase that is expressed as a transmembrane protein in many organs but also present in a circulating soluble form. Beyond its enzymatic and co-stimulatory activity, CD26/DPP4 is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic fibrotic diseases across many organ types, such as liver cirrhosis, kidney and lung fibrosis. Organ fibrosis is associated with a high morbidity and mortality and there are no causative therapies that can effectively attenuate the progress of the disease. Growing evidence suggests that inhibiting CD26/DPP4 can modulate the profibrotic tissue microenvironment and thus reduce fibrotic changes within affected organs. This review summarizes the role of CD26/DPP4 in fibroproliferative disorders and highlights new opportunities for antifibrotic treatment by CD26/DPP4 inhibition. As a major advantage, CD26/DPP4 inhibitors are in safe and routine clinical use in type 2 diabetes for many years and thus qualify to repurpose them as a promising therapeutic against fibrosis.