Research progress on the role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 in tissue repair and regeneration

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1673-9450.2026.05.011

Abstract

Abstract:

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 （DPP4） is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a key role in metabolic regulation，immune costimulation，and extracellular matrix remodeling. In recent years，with the development of single-cell sequencing and lineage tracing technologies，DPP4⁺ fibroblast subpopulations have been identified as a key cell population driving fibrosis in multiple organs. This article systematically elaborates the bidirectional regulatory roles of DPP4 in the skin，visceral organs，skeletal muscle，and vascular system，focusing on the balance mechanism between its pro-scarring/pro-fibrotic and pro-healing/pro-regeneration effects. It reviews research progress on tendon stem progenitor cell fate determination，gut microbiota-derived DPP4，and fibroblast-to-adipocyte transdifferentiation，and evaluates the clinical application prospects of DPP4 inhibitors and related therapeutic strategies，providing novel target candidates and combination treatment strategies for the precise intervention of organ fibrosis and tissue regeneration.

Key words: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, Fibroblast, Fibrosis, Regeneration, Wound healing

Zihuan Wei, Bohao Liu, Yuezhong Ding, Jiangnan Xu, Quanhua Mu, Guangjian Zhang. Research progress on the role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 in tissue repair and regeneration[J]. Chinese Journal of Injury Repair and Wound Healing(Electronic Edition), 2026, 21(05): 395-400.

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