Altered crosstalk in the dipeptidyl peptidase-4-incretin-immune system in type 1 diabetes: A hypothesis generating pilot study

Hum Immunol. 2015 Sep;76(9):667-72. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2015.09.018. Epub 2015 Oct 3.

Abstract

Both GLP1(7)(-)(36) (via GLP1 receptor) and the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) cleaved form of GLP1 (GLP1(9)(-)(36), independently of GLP1R) may modulate the response of lymphocytes to cytokine stimuli. The incretin axis, CXCR3 (receptor of DPP4 ligand cytokines CXCL9-11) expression on T(reg)s and hematologic parameters were assessed in 34 patients with long standing type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and in 35 healthy controls. Serum DPP4 (sDPP4) activity, plasma total GLP1 and GLP1(7)(-)(36) concentrations were determined. GLP1(9)(-)(36) concentrations were calculated. CXCR3 expression (flow cytometry) was higher on the CD25(-/)(low)Foxp3(+) than on the CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T(reg)s independently from T1DM, suggesting that CD25(-/)(low)Foxp3(+) T(reg)s are possibly waiting for orientational chemotactic stimuli in a "standby mode". The higher sDPP4 activities in T1DM were inversely correlated with GLP1(7)(-)(36) levels and GLP1(9)(-)(36) levels directly with lymphocyte counts in controls. Our results might indicate an altered DPP4-incretin system and altered immunoregulation including a potentially dysfunctional GLP1(9)(-)(36) signaling in T1DM.

Keywords: CXCR3; DPP4; GLP1; T(reg); Type 1 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / blood
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Eosinophils
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incretins / blood
  • Incretins / metabolism*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Incretins
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4