title: PPARgamma--an important regulator of monocyte/macrophage function.
abstract: Regulation of monocyte/macrophage function is important in coordinating immune responses. Their contact with invading pathogens activates signaling pathways that provoke pro-inflammatory gene expression and thus causing a locally restricted inflammation. Recently, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) has been identified to antagonize pro-inflammatory responses in monocytes/macrophages, causing an anti-inflammatory and/or desensitized phenotype to predominate. For PPARgamma, the general mechanisms facilitating the transition from a pro- to an anti-inflammatory phenotype have been elucidated. PPARgamma is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and is activated upon endogenous as well as exogenous agonist binding. Here we focus on its role in monocyte/macrophage biology in affecting inflammation. Summarizing current information, a model is proposed which gives rise to potential new therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of diseases presumably involving PPARgamma-dependent regulatory circuits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany. aknethen@rhrk.uni-kl.de
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Knethen
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brüne
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors