Anti-inflammatory effects on ischemia/reperfusion-injured lung transplants by the cluster of differentiation 26/dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (CD26/DPP4) inhibitor vildagliptin

Abstract Objectives We showed previously that stromal cell−derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is a substrate of cluster of differentiation 26/dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (CD26/DPP4) and exerts regenerative properties on acute lung ischemia-reperfusion injury on CD26/DPP4 inhibition. Here, we extend our studies to test whether an intermediate recovery of lung transplants from ischemia/reperfusion injury by CD26/DPP4 inhibition can be achieved for up to 14 days. Methods Syngeneic mouse lung transplantation (Tx) was performed in C57BL/6 and in CD26−/− mice by applying 18 hours of cold ischemia. Donor lungs were preconditioned with saline or the CD26/DPP4 inhibitor vildagliptin (1 μg/mL [3 μM]). In vitro, the influence of vildagliptin and SDF-1 on the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was tested. Transplants were analyzed up to 14 days after Tx for the expression of SDF-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), immune cell infiltration, and oxygenation. Results Cold ischemic time of 18 hours with vildagliptin preconditioning elevated lung SDF-1 levels ( P  = .0011) and increased interleukin-10–producing macrophages ( P  = .0165) compared with the control. SDF-1 reduced macrophage-derived TNF-α ( P  = .0248) in vitro. Five hours after Tx, vildagliptin significantly reduced macrophages and neutrophils ( P  = .0306), decreased ICAM-1 expression ( P  = .002), and improved transplant oxygenation ( P  = .0181). Seven days after Tx, grafts were preserved on CD26/DPP4-inhibition: perivascular macrophages ( P  = .0046) and TNF-α ( P  = .0013) were reduced as well as T and B cells. ICAM-1 was absent in CD26/DPP4-inhibited grafts at all time points. Conclusions This study proves an intermediate improvement of ischemia/reperfusion-injured lung transplants by the CD26/DPP4-inhibitor vildagliptin up to 14 days. Enhanced levels of SDF-1 induced an anti-inflammatory effect on a cellular and protein level, and render CD26/DPP4 inhibition preconditioning effective for the protection from lung ischemia/reperfusion injury.