[Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ligands and angiogenesis]

PPAR receptors are expressed in endothelial cells and PPARalpha and gamma ligands play potent roles in modulating angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillary blood vessels, is essential for many physiologic and pathologic processes such as cancer, choroidal neovascularization and ischemic diseases. Inhibition of angiogenesis can prevent diseases with excessive vessel growth such as cancer or diabetic retinopathy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-receptors are considered key regulators of angiogenesis. PPARalpha and gamma ligands not only inhibit VEGF-receptor 2 expression but also act as blocker of VEGF-receptor signaling. Antiangiogenic action through targeting of VEGF-receptors may be a new approach to blocking hypoxia-driven angiogenesis. In this review, I highlight data concerning PPARs ligands involved in the biological mechanisms underlying antiangiogenesis.