PPAR gamma activation induces the expression of the adipocyte fatty acid binding protein gene in human monocytes

The peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand activated transcription fact ors, plays a key role in the anti-diabetic actions of the thiazolidinedione s (TZDs). PPAR gamma induces the expression of many genes involved in lipid anabolism, including the adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2), and i s a key regulator of adipocyte differentiation. PPAR gamma is also expresse d in hematopoietic cells and is up-regulated in activated monocytes/macroph ages. Activation of PPAR gamma may play a role in the induction of differen tiation of macrophages to foam cells that are associated with atherosclerot ic lesions. We report that both natural and synthetic PPAR gamma agonists i nduce time- and dose-dependent increases in aP2 mRNA in both primary human monocytes and the monocytic cell line, THP-1, These data suggest that PPAR gamma activation may play a role in monocyte differentiation and function a nalogous to its well-characterized role in adipocytes. (C) 1999 Academic Pr ess.