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Macrophages in human atheroma contain PPARgamma: differentiation-dependent peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARgamma) expression and reduction of MMP-9 activity through PPARgamma activation in mononuclear phagocytes in vitro.

Mononuclear phagocytes play an important role in atherosclerosis and its sequela plaque rupture in part by their secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-9. Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a transcription factor in the nuclear receptor superfamily, regulates gene expression in response to various activators, including 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 and the antidiabetic agent troglitazone. The role of PPARgamma in human atherosclerosis is unexplored. We report here that monocytes/macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions (n = 12) express immunostainable PPARgamma. Normal artery specimens (n = 6) reveal minimal immunoreactive PPARgamma. Human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages cultured for 6 days in 5% human serum expressed PPARgamma mRNA and protein by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. In addition, PPARgamma mRNA expression in U937 cells increased during phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate-induced differentiation. Stimulation of PPARgamma with troglitazone or 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 in human monocyte-derived macrophages inhibited MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity in a concentration-dependent fashion as revealed by zymography. This inhibition correlates with decreased MMP-9 secretion as determined by Western blotting. Thus, PPARgamma is present in macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions and may regulate expression and activity of MMP-9, an enzyme implicated in plaque rupture. PPARgamma is likely to be an important regulator of monocyte/macrophage function with relevance for human atherosclerotic disease.

Arteriosclerosis↗

c-Fos-driven transcriptional activation of transforming growth factor beta-1: inhibition of high glucose-induced promoter activity by thiazolidinediones.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activating compounds thiazolidinedione (TZD) have been shown to inhibit diabetes-induced glomerular transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) expression, thereby ameliorating diabetic nephropathy. Here we examined the hypothesis that TZDs block high glucose-induced TGF-beta1 gene activation by interaction with the activated protein kinase C-c-Fos-TGF-beta1 promoter cascade in mesangial cells. The TZD compounds troglitazone and rosiglitazone completely prevented the high glucose induction of both TGF-beta1 promoter activity and elevation in nuclear c-Fos protein levels. The scavenging properties of troglitazone were shown not to be responsible for this inhibitory action, because hydrogen peroxide-mediated stimulation of TGF-beta1 promoter activity was not blocked. TZD-treatment did not interfere with the transcriptional activity of c-Fos responsible for stimulation of the TGF-beta1 promoter. The findings suggest a molecular mechanism by which TZD-treatment reduces specifically high glucose-induced, c-Fos-mediated gene activation, since phorbol ester-induced c-Fos mRNA and protein expression and subsequent elevation of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression were not prevented by TZDs.

Animals↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and retinoid X receptor ligands inhibit monocyte chemotactic protein-1-directed migration of monocytes.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)-directed transendothelial migration of monocytes plays a key role in the development of inflammatory diseases. Infiltration of tissues by monocytes requires degradation of extracellular matrices, a process that involves matrix metalloproteinases. We studied the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, alpha, and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) ligands on MCP-1-directed migration and matrix metalloproteinase expression of a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1). PPARgamma ligands attenuated MCP-1-induced migration, with 50% inhibition (IC(50)) at 2.8 microM for troglitazone and 4.8 microM for rosiglitazone. PPARalpha ligands WY-14643 (IC(50): 0.9 microM) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetranoic acid (IC(50): 9.9 microM), and the potent RXRalpha ligand AGN 4204 (IC(50): 3.6 nM) also blocked monocyte migration. Troglitazone, rosiglitazone, or AGN 4204 inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. PPARalpha activators WY-14643 and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, however, had no inhibitory effect. AGN 4204 increased PMA-induced tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) expression, whereas all PPAR ligands showed no effect. All PPAR and RXRalpha ligands blocked chemotaxis of THP-1 monocytes in the absence of a matrix barrier. This study demonstrates that activated PPARs and RXRalpha, block MCP-1-directed monocyte migration, mediated, at least in part, through their effects on matrix metalloproteinase-9 or TIMP-1 production, or chemotaxis.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗

Thiazolidinediones inhibit growth of gastrointestinal, biliary, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells through activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma/retinoid X receptor alpha pathway.

Peroxisome prolixferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a ligand-activated transcription factor, forms a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), and its transcriptional activity is thought to be maximal in the presence of both PPARgamma and RXRalpha ligands. Although previous studies suggested that thiazolidinediones (TZDs), known as PPARgamma ligands, inhibit the growth of several types of tumor cells, the precise mechanism still remains obscure. The present study was designed to examine the effects of PPARgamma/RXRalpha transcriptional activation on cell growth in cancer cells. We compared the effects of six types of TZDs (troglitazone, RS-1303, RS-1330, RS-1387, RS-1455, and RS-1456) and 9-cis RA, an RXRalpha ligand, on the activation of PPARgamma/RXRalpha and the growth inhibition of six types of adenocarcinoma cell lines (MKN45, HT-29, HCT116, HuCCT1, KMP-2, and BxPC3) established from abdominal malignancies. PPARgamma was expressed in all six tumor cell lines and transcriptionally functional in five of the six lines. The stronger PPARgamma activator showed the stronger growth inhibitor in these five cell lines. However, no significant growth inhibitory effect of six types of PPARgamma activators was observed in BxPC3 cells, which showed no significant PPARgamma transactivation by these activators. Simultaneous addition of troglitazone and 9-cis RA enhanced both activation of PPARgamma/RXRalpha and growth inhibition in several types of cancer cells. The degree of PPARgamma/RXRalpha activation correlated with the extent of growth inhibition (r > 0.70, P < 0.05). This growth inhibition was associated with G1 cell cycle arrest and cell differentiation. These findings suggest that activation of the PPARgamma/RXRalpha pathway plays an important role in the growth inhibition of tumor cells and that this nuclear hormone receptor may be a possible novel molecular target for treatment of tumors in humans.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Down-regulation of uncoupling protein-3 and -2 by thiazolidinediones in C2C12 myotubes.

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial membrane proton transporters that uncouple respiration from oxidative phosphorylation by dissipating the proton gradient across the membrane. We studied the direct effect of several peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands on UCP-3 and UCP-2 mRNA expression in C2C12 myotubes for 24 h. In the absence of exogenous fatty acids, treatment of C2C12 cells with a selective PPARalpha activator (Wy-14,643) or a non-selective PPAR activator (bezafibrate) did not affect the expression of UCP-3 mRNA levels, whereas UCP-2 expression was slightly increased. In contrast, troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione which selectively activates PPARgamma, strongly decreased UCP-3 and UCP-2 mRNA levels. Another thiazolidinedione, ciglitazone, had the same effect, but to a lower extent, suggesting that PPARgamma activation is involved. Further, the presence of 0.5 mM oleic acid strongly increased UCP-3 mRNA levels and troglitazone addition failed to block the effect of this fatty acid. The drop in UCP expression after thiazolidinedione treatment correlated well with a reduction in PPARalpha mRNA levels produced by this drug, linking the reduction in PPARalpha mRNA levels with the down-regulation of UCP mRNA in C2C12 myotubes after thiazolidinedione treatment.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma reduces the growth rate of pancreatic cancer cells through the reduction of cyclin D1.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) forms a heterodimeric DNA-binding complex with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and regulates the transcription of its target genes. Activation of PPARgamma has been shown to induce G1 arrest and to inhibit cell growth of human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of ligand activation of PPARgamma and RXR on cell growth and on the expression of G1 cyclins in a pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1, which expresses PPARgamma at high levels. Troglitazone, a specific ligand for PPARgamma, was found to cause a reduction in the growth rate and induced G1 cell cycle arrest and this effect was additive with that of 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA), a ligand for RXR. Of the G1 cyclins tested, troglitazone specifically reduced the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and the corresponding protein and this effect was also additive with 9-cis RA. These results suggest that the activation of PPARgamma together with RXR may be useful for the suppression of pancreatic cancer cell growth through the reduction in cyclin D1 levels.

Alitretinoin↗

Expression of PPARgamma in eosinophils and its functional role in survival and chemotaxis.

Eosinophils play a pivotal role in the mechanism of allergic diseases including asthma. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and eotaxin are critical cytokines/chemokines for eosinophil activation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulates lipid metabolism. Recent evidence has suggested that PPARgamma serves as a negative regulator in the immune system. In the present study, we investigated the expression of PPARgamma and effect of PPARgamma agonist on human eosinophils. We demonstrated that purified eosinophils and Eol-1 cells express PPARgamma at the mRNA and protein levels. The PPARgamma agonist troglitazone reduced the IL-5-stimulated, but not spontaneous, eosinophil survival in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the eotaxin-directed eosinophil chemotaxis was dose-dependently inhibited by troglitazone. Our results suggest that the administration of the PPARgamma agonists thiazolidinediones could be a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of allergic diseases such as asthma.

Apoptosis↗

Amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice by an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, plays a critical role in adipocyte differentiation and glucose homeostasis. It has been implicated that PPAR-gamma functions as a regulator of cellular proliferation and inflammatory responses. In the present study, we examined whether troglitazone, a selective PPAR-gamma agonists, ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by administration of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide 35-55 in C57BL/6 mice. We found that troglitazone attenuated the inflammation and decreased the clinical symptoms. It was suggested that the amelioration was attributed to the attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expressions.

Animals↗

Phosphodiesterase 3B gene expression is enhanced in the liver but reduced in the adipose tissue of obese insulin resistant db/db mouse.

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3B, when activated by insulin, causes a decrease in intracellular cAMP concentration. The activation of this enzyme results in the reduced output of free fatty acids (FFA) from adipocytes, and an increased lipogenesis in liver. We have recently shown that PDE3B gene expression is reduced in adipose tissues of KKAy mice. We intend to further elucidate the regulation of PDE3B in liver as well as adipose tissues in relation to the insulin resistant state. We examined PDE3B gene expression in liver and adipose tissues of obese, insulin-resistant diabetic db/db mice and also checked the effect of an insulin-sensitizing drug, troglitazone, on this gene expression. In the liver of db/db mice, PDE3B mRNA, its corresponding protein, and the associated catalytic activity were all increased by 2.1, 1.9 and 1.6-fold, respectively, over those in db/+ control mice. Histological examination revealed substantial triglyceride storage in the liver of db/db mice. Conversely, in the adipose tissue of db/db mice, PDE3B mRNA, protein, and its associated activity were all decreased by 0.38, 0.33 and 0.36-fold, respectively. Troglitazone, which has no effect on PDE3B in liver, increased the expression of this gene in adipocytes. This increase is associated with a reduction in the elevated levels of serum insulin, glucose, FFA and triglycerides. The reduced PDE3B gene expression in adipose tissues, which results in the elevation of serum FFA, could be the primary event in the development of insulin resistance in db/db mice. The enhanced PDE3B gene expression may correlate with changes in triglyceride storage in the liver of these mice.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PPAR alpha stimulates the rat gastrin-producing cell.

The peroxisome proliferator (PP) ciprofibrate stimulates gastrin-producing cells (G-cells) in the rat stomach by an unknown mechanism, inducing hypergastrinemia and secondary enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell hyperplasia. Ciprofibrate is a specific ligand for the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha). To see whether the effects of ciprofibrate could be imitated, rats were given another PPAR alpha ligand WY-14643 or the PPAR gamma ligand troglitazone by gastric intubations daily for 28 and 56 days. Troglitazone failed to raise gastrin levels. WY-14643 increased gastrin mRNA abundance, G-cell density and induced hypergastrinemia, but to a lesser extent than ciprofibrate. ECL cell parameters increased in proportion with the relative hypergastrinemia. Ciprofibrate and WY-14643 altered the levels of acyl CoA-oxidase mRNA and PPAR alpha mRNA in antrum, but had no effect in corpus. The PPAR alpha receptor was found in at least some G-cells by immunostaining. This study supports the hypothesis that PPAR alpha specific ligands could stimulate the G-cells by acting locally from the stomach lumen through antral PPAR alpha.

Animals↗

Trivalent chromium and the diabetes prevention program.

The Diabetes Prevention Program is a new, 150 million dollar, NIH-sponsored study designed to determine whether non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus can be prevented or delayed in persons with impaired glucose tolerance. Four thousand subjects will be randomly assigned to one of four study groups and followed for 4.5 years. Study groups include intensive lifestyle intervention with diet and exercise; metformin (Glucophage) or troglitazone (an investigational drug) with standard diet and exercise; and a control group. Insulin resistance is an important pathogenic factor in impaired glucose tolerance. Trivalent chromium, a dietary supplement that potentiates the action of insulin, was not included in the program. Like metformin and troglitazone, trivalent chromium decreases insulin resistance and has an acceptable side-effect profile; furthermore, it is available at a fraction of their cost. Trivalent chromium should have been included in the Diabetes Prevention Program; it is unfortunate that it was omitted.

Chromans↗

Synergistic effect of 4-hydroxynonenal and PPAR ligands in controlling human leukemic cell growth and differentiation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors play an important role in the differentiation of different cell lines. In this study we demonstrate that PPAR-alpha ligands (clofibrate and ciprofibrate) and PPAR-gamma ligands (troglitazone and 15d-prostaglandin J2) inhibit growth and induce monocytic differentiation in HL-60 cells, whereas only PPAR-gamma ligands inhibit growth of U937 cells. Differentiation was demonstrated by the analysis of surface antigen expression CD11b and CD14, and by the characteristic morphological changes. PPAR-gamma ligands are more effective than PPAR-alpha ligands in the inhibition of cell growth and in the induction of differentiation. The physiological product of lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), which alone induces granulocytic-like differentiation of HL-60 cells, potentiates the monocytic differentiation induced by ciprofibrate, troglitazone, and 15d-prostaglandin J2. The same HNE treatment significantly inhibits U937 cell growth and potentiates the inhibition of cell growth in PPAR-gamma ligand-treated cells. However, HNE does not induce a significant number of CD14-positive U937 cells. HNE causes a great increase of PPAR-gamma expression in both HL-60 and U937 cells, whereas it does not modify the PPAR-alpha expression. This observation may account for the high synergistic effect displayed by HNE and PPAR-gamma ligands in the inhibition of cell growth and differentiation induction. These results represent the first evidence of the involvement of a product of lipid peroxidation in the modulation of PPAR ligand activity and suggest a relationship between HNE and PPAR ligand pathways in leukemic cell growth and differentiation.

Aldehydes↗

Development of small-molecule cyclin D1-ablative agents.

Previously, we demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonist troglitazone mediated the repression of cyclin D1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by facilitating proteasome-facilitated proteolysis. This PPARgamma-independent mechanism provided a molecular basis for using troglitazone as scaffold to develop a novel class of cyclin D1-ablative agents. The proof of principle of this premise is provided by Delta2TG, in which the introduction of a double bond adjacent to the thiazolidinedione ring abrogated the PPARgamma activity while retaining the activity in cyclin D1 repression. Structural optimization of Delta2TG led to STG28 [(S)-5-(4-{[6-(allyloxy)-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl]methoxy}-3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione], which exhibited low micromolar potency in ablating cyclin D1 and inhibiting MCF-7 cell proliferation. It is noteworthy that STG28 mediated the proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1 with a high degree of specificity. Exposure to STG28 did not cause any appreciable change in the expression levels of a series of other cyclins and CDK-dependent kinases. In light of the pivotal role of cyclin D1 in promoting tumorigenesis and drug resistance, this novel cyclin D1-ablating agent may have therapeutic relevance in cancer therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The effect of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) on human monocyte function: PPARgamma ligands do not inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha release in human monocytic cell line THP-1.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) activation by its ligands reportedly inhibits monocyte function. However, because the concentrations of PPARgamma ligands used in previous studies were higher than typically expected to activate PPARgamma, we clarified whether PPARgamma ligands influence monocyte function and cell viability of the human monocyte cell line THP-1. We determined tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release as a monocyte function and cell viability using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Both troglitazone and 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15-d-PGJ2) seemed to inhibit phorbol ester-induced TNF-alpha release from THP-1 cells. On the other hand, neither pioglitazone nor rosiglitazone inhibited phorbol ester-induced TNF-alpha release. Because the cytotoxicity of troglitazone and 15-d-PGJ2 was significantly (p<0.05, Tukey-Kramer) stronger than that of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, the inhibition of TNF-alpha release seemed to parallel the lack of cell viability. We concluded that PPARgamma ligands did not directly inhibit TNF-alpha release in THP-1 cells.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Effects of different PPARgamma-agonists on MCP-1 expression and monocyte recruitment in experimental glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Activators of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) have been shown to modulate chemokine expression in isolated monocytes/macrophages (M/M) and to exert anti-inflammatory effects in some models of experimental inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the effects of different forms of PPARgamma activators in a model of experimental glomerulonephritis (GN) in rats. METHODS: GN was induced in rats by application of an anti-thymocyte antibody (ATS). Nephritic rats were treated with two synthetic PPARgamma ligands of the thiazolidinedione (TZD) group, troglitazone (200 mg/kg/day) and ciglitazone (100 mg/kg/day), and with a natural ligand 15d-PGJ2 (1.5 mg/day). Twenty-four hours after induction of the GN, the glomerular mRNA expression of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the cognate chemokine receptor CCR-2 were examined by Northern blotting and RT-PCR. The glomerular M/M infiltration was determined by immunohistology. The activation of the transcription factors PPARgamma, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) in glomeruli was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Induction of GN up-regulated glomerular nuclear protein binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1. Treatment of nephritic rats with troglitazone and ciglitazone augmented nuclear PPARgamma and AP-1 DNA binding but did not affect NF-kappaB binding. TZD enhanced glomerular MCP-1 expression and increased glomerular M/M recruitment. In contrast, 15d-PGJ2 attenuated NF-kappaB activation and did not affect AP-1 activity or MCP-1 expression. CONCLUSION: Our data show that PPARgamma activators of the TZD group, but not 15d-PGJ2, enhance MCP-1 expression and M/M infiltration in the induction phase of experimental GN. The results demonstrate that TZD and 15d-PGJ2 may exert different effects in the immune response in experimental GN. Our study underscores the need to critically evaluate whether PPARgamma ligands will have beneficial or possibly deleterious effects in GN.

Animals↗

[Antioxidant and anti-AGE therapeutics: evaluation and perspectives].

Diabetic patients exhibit an oxidative stress status, that is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences, in favour of the first ones. This oxidative stress, together with formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), is involved in diabetic complications. It could thus be of great interest to propose antioxidant and/or anti-AGE therapeutics as complementary treatment in these patients. Antioxidants can be classical molecules such as vitamin E, lipoic acid or N-acetylcysteine. Thus, vitamin E supplementation can improve insulin efficiency and glycemic equilibrium, as shown by the decrease of glycaemia, glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine values. In addition, this kind of supplementation lowers plasma lipid peroxidation and oxidizability of low density lipoproteins, which is involved in the atherogenesis process. Moreover, it allows to fight against complications such as retinopathy. A second category is represented by molecules able to fight against the effects of glycation end-products (AGEs). They can act: either by preventing cellular action of AGEs; this is obtained with soluble receptors of advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE); or by inhibiting AGE formation (scavenging of reactive carbonyl intermediates). Nucleophilic compounds such as pyridoxamine, tenilsetam, 2,3-diaminophenazone, OPB-9195 or aminoguanidine can act in this way. Aminoguanidine is able to limit the development of the main diabetes-associated complications in animals. A double-blind clinical assay has been conducted in type 2 diabetic patients in the United States and the Canada, in order to determine if aminoguanidine is able to slow down the progression of diabetes-induced nephropathy. We will discuss about another guanidic molecule, i.e. metformin, which is also able to scavenge AGEs, in the last part of this review. A third category of molecules is constituted by oral antidiabetic molecules exhibiting antioxidant properties. They are thiazolidinediones (troglitazone) and sulfonylureas (gliclazide). Troglitazone and gliclazide can thus decrease LDL oxidizability and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, which is an early step in the atherogenesis process and which is stimulated by oxidised LDLs. Finally, a prospective way is devoted to oral antidiabetic drugs exhibiting both antioxidant and anti-AGE properties. A very used antidiabetic drug of interest is metformin (dimethylbiguanide), since it can prevent diabetes complications not only by lowering glycaemia, but also by inhibiting AGE formation and by stimulating antioxidant defences. The latter therapeutic approach constitutes a future way in the diabetes area, in order both to obtain a better glycemic control and a least development of diabetic complications.

Antioxidants↗

Thyroid hormone receptor beta mutants: Dominant negative regulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma action.

Thyroid hormone (T3) and peroxisome proliferators have overlapping metabolic effects in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis. Their actions are mediated by their respective receptors: thyroid hormone receptors (TR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). We recently found that a dominantly negative TRbeta mutant (PV) that causes a genetic disease, resistance to thyroid hormone, acts to repress the ligand (troglitazone)-mediated transcriptional activity of PPARgamma in cultured thyroid cells. This finding suggests that TRbeta mutants could crosstalk with PPARgamma-signaling pathways. The present study explored the molecular mechanisms by which PV represses the PPARgamma transcriptional activity. Gel-shift assays show that the PV, similar to wild-type TRbeta, bound to the peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE) as homodimers and heterodimers with PPARgamma or the retinoid X receptor (RXR), thereby competing with PPARgamma for binding to PPRE and for sequestering RXR. Association of PPRE-bound PV with corepressors [e.g., nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR)] that led to transcriptional repression was independent of T3 and troglitazone. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay further demonstrated that, despite the presence of ligands, NCoR was recruited to PPRE-bound PV on a PPARgamma-target gene, the lipoprotein lipase, in vivo, suggesting the dominant action of PV on PPARgamma-mediated transcriptional activity. Thus, the dominant negative action of PV is not limited on the wild-type TRs. The findings that TRbeta mutants affect PPARgamma functions through dominant negative action provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TR regulates the PPARgamma-target genes involved in metabolic pathways, lipid homeostasis, and carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Thiazolidinediones but not metformin directly inhibit the steroidogenic enzymes P450c17 and 3beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Androgen biosynthesis requires 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (3betaHSDII) and the 17alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities of cytochrome P450c17. Thiazolidinedione and biguanide drugs, which are used to increase insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes, lower serum androgen concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, it is unclear whether this is secondary to increased insulin sensitivity or to direct effects on steroidogenesis. To investigate potential actions of these drugs on P450c17 and 3betaHSDII, we used "humanized yeast" that express these steroidogenic enzymes in microsomal environments. The biguanide metformin had no effect on either enzyme, whereas the thiazolidinedione troglitazone inhibited 3betaHSDII (K(I) = 25.4 +/- 5.1 microm) and both activities of P450c17 (K(I) for 17alpha-hydroxylase, 8.4 +/- 0.6 microm; K(I) for 17,20-lyase, 5.3 +/- 0.7 microm). The action of troglitazone on P450c17 was competitive, but it was mainly a noncompetitive inhibitor of 3betaHSDII. The thiazolidinediones rosiglitazone and pioglitazone exerted direct but weaker inhibitory effects on both P450c17 and 3betaHSDII. These differential effects of the thiazolidinediones do not correlate with their effects on insulin sensitivity, suggesting that distinct regions of the thiazolidinedione molecule mediate these two actions. Thus, thiazolidinediones inhibit two key enzymes in human androgen synthesis contributing to their androgen-lowering effects, whereas metformin affects androgen synthesis indirectly, probably by lowering circulating insulin concentrations.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗