Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma in vascular biology

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) belongs to a family of ligand-activated nuclear receptor and transcription factors. The essential roles of PPAR-gamma in controlling metabolic processes have been underscored by the successful use of PPAR-gamma agonists thiazolidinediones to treat insulin resistance, a central feature of metabolic syndrome. PPAR-gamma is also expressed in the vascular tissues including endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages. Increasing evidence suggests that PPAR-gamma is implicated both in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of a number of vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis. As an important regulator of vascular biology, PPAR-gamma may represent a potential therapeutic target for these metabolic vascular disorders. This review will focus on the recent advances related to the biological functions of PPAR-gamma in various vascular processes as well as the significances of the pharmacological activators/modulators of this metabolic nuclear receptor in vascular disorders.