Soare A, Györfi HA, Matei AE, et al. - Researchers investigated the expression of dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP-4) in skin biopsy samples and dermal fibroblasts by a real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analyses in order to assess DPP-4 as a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis in individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It was found that in the fibrotic skin of SSc patients, DPP-4 identified a population of activated fibroblasts and revealed that DPP-4 monitors TGFβ-induced fibroblast activation. Moreover, inhibition of DPP4 exerted potent antifibrotic impacts when given in well-tolerated doses. Since DPP4 inhibitors are already in clinical practice for diabetes, for the treatment of fibrosis in individuals with SSc, these results might have direct translational implications.