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Published on: August 23, 2019

Inhibitory effects of peroxisome poliferator-activated receptor gamma on thyroid carcinoma cell growth

Maria Luisa Martelli1, Rodolfo Iuliano, Ilaria Le Pera

  • 1Dipartimento Medicina di Sperimentale e Clinica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Catanzaro, Università di Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|October 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer. Activating PPAR gamma inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear receptor regulating adipogenesis, inflammation, and cell cycle control.
  • PPAR gamma is implicated in tumor suppression, with mutations found in colon cancer and translocations in thyroid cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PPAR gamma in the growth regulation of normal and tumor thyroid cells.
  • To explore PPAR gamma as a potential therapeutic target for thyroid carcinoma.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of PPAR gamma gene mutations in thyroid carcinoma cell lines and tissues.
  • Treatment of thyroid carcinoma cells with PPAR gamma agonists.
  • Overexpression of PPAR gamma in thyroid carcinoma cells.
  • Assessment of cell growth rate, p27 protein levels, and apoptotic cell death.

Main Results:

  • No PPAR gamma mutations were found in exons 3 and 5 of human thyroid carcinoma.
  • PPAR gamma agonists and overexpression significantly reduced growth rate in PPAR gamma-expressing thyroid carcinoma cells.
  • PPAR gamma activation or overexpression led to increased p27 protein levels and apoptotic cell death.

Conclusions:

  • PPAR gamma plays a role in inhibiting thyroid carcinoma cell growth.
  • PPAR gamma agonists and gene therapy targeting PPAR gamma show promise for treating aggressive thyroid carcinomas, including anaplastic types.

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