Premium
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors and inflammation: take it to heart
Author(s) -
Smeets P. J. H.,
Planavila A.,
Van Der Vusse G. J.,
Van Bilsen M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta physiologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.591
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1748-1716
pISSN - 1748-1708
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2007.01752.x
Subject(s) - peroxisome proliferator activated receptor , transrepression , transactivation , nuclear receptor , inflammation , receptor , ppar agonist , transcription factor , biology , medicine , bioinformatics , immunology , biochemistry , gene
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand‐activated transcription factors acting as key regulators of lipid metabolism as well as modulators of inflammation. The role of PPARα and PPARγ in cardiac ischaemia‐reperfusion injury, infarct healing and hypertrophy is the subject of intense research. Due to the later development of PPARδ‐specific ligands, the role of this PPAR isoform in cardiac disease remains to be established. Although many studies point to salutatory effects of PPAR ligands in cardiac disease, the exact molecular mechanism is still largely unsolved. Both the metabolic (via transactivation) and the more recently discovered anti‐inflammatory (via transrepression) effects of PPARs are likely to play a role. In this review the reported, and sometimes contradictory, effects of PPAR ligands on ischaemia‐reperfusion, infarct healing and cardiac hypertrophy are critically evaluated. In particular the role of inflammation in these disease processes, the ability of PPARs to interfere with pro‐inflammatory processes, and the mechanisms of transrepression are discussed. Currently, the significance of PPARs as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease is receiving widespread attention. Accordingly, detailed understanding of the mechanisms controlling the activity of these nuclear hormone receptors is essential.