Anti-atherosclerotic effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been shown in many studies. Since inflammation and immune response play a key role in atherogenesis, we examined the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on the expression of nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) Inflammasome and Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in human macrophages.

THP-1 macrophages were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) with or without DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin and NVPDPP728). The effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on the expression of NLRP3, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β were studied. Both DPP-4 inhibitors induced a significant reduction in NLRP3, TLR4 and IL-1β expression; concurrently, there was an increase in glucagon like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) expression. Simultaneously, DPP-4 inhibitors reduced phosphorylated-PKC, but not PKA, levels. To determine the role of PKC activation in the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors, cells were treated with PMA- which blocked the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on NLRP3 and IL-1β as well as TLR4 and GLP-1R. Over-expression of GLP-1R in macrophages with its agonist liraglutide also blocked the effects of PMA.

DPP-4 inhibitors suppress NLRP3, TLR4 and IL-1β in human macrophages through inhibition of PKC activity. This study provides novel insights into the mechanism of inhibition of inflammatory state and immune response in atherosclerosis by DPP-4 inhibitors.