[Anti-vascular failure effects].
PPARgamma, which is a family of ligand-activated nuclear transcriptional factors, is expressed abundantly in macrophages and adipocytes and plays an important role in differentiation of these cells. PPARgamma gene is also expressed in vascular endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells and PPARgamma has been shown to mediate anti-inflammation, anti-proliferation, pro-apoptotic, and anti-migration activities. Further, there is accumulating evidence that PPARgamma is implicated as an important regulator of immune responses in various diseases including atherosclerosis. Pioglitazone, a PPARgamma ligand, has been recognized as antidiabetic agents for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and effective and safety profile of pioglitazone has been established in PROactive study. Recently, the mechanisms of PPARgamma-mediated vascular protective function have been elucidated by using the endothelial cell-specific knockout mice of the PPARgamma gene.
Department of Medicine and Biological Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine.
Masahiko
M
Kurabayashi
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists* / Q000235:genetics; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008024:Ligands; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077205:Pioglitazone