Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma: implications for cardiovascular disease

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. PPARgamma is expressed by macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. It regulates gene expression of key proteins involved in lipid metabolism, vascular inflammation, and proliferation contributing to atherogenesis and postangioplasty restenosis. The discovery of synthetic ligands for PPARgamma has led to significant enhancement of our understanding of the mechanism of their ligand-dependent activation and subsequent biological effects, particularly with respect to the role of PPARgamma in vascular pathophysiology. The thiazolidinedione PPARgamma agonists not only improve insulin resistance in patients with type II diabetes but also exert a broad spectrum of antiatherogenic effects in vitro and in animal models of atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarize the important role of PPARgamma as a molecular target for thiazolidinediones and its implications for the control of vascular inflammation and proliferation for the cardiovascular system.