Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) activation suppresses ischemic induction of Egr‐1 and its inflammatory gene targets

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a nuclear receptor whose activation regulates metabolism and inflammation. Recent data indicate that the zinc finger transcription factor early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) acts as a master switch for the inflammatory response in ischemic vessels. Experiments tested the hypothesis that activation of endogenous PPAR-γ inhibits induction of Egr-1. Egr-1 is rapidly induced in murine lungs after ischemia-reperfusion, as well as in alveolar mononuclear phagocytes deprived of oxygen as an ischemic model. In vitro, the natural PPAR-γ ligand (15-deoxy-Δ^12,14-prostaglandin J₂) and a PPAR-γ activator (troglitazone), but not a PPAR-α activator (bezafibrate), strikingly diminished Egr-1 mRNA and protein expression and nuclear DNA binding activity corresponding to Egr-1. In vivo, treatment with troglitazone before ischemia prevented induction of Egr-1 and its target genes such as interleukin-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2. As a consequence of PPAR-γ activation, pulmonary leukostasis was decreased and oxygenation and overall survival were improved. Activation of PPAR-γ suppresses activation of Egr-1 and its inflammatory gene targets and provides potent protection against ischemic pulmonary injury. These data reveal a new mechanism whereby PPAR-γ activation may decrease tissue inflammation in response to an ischemic insult.—Okada, M., Yan, S. F., Pinsky, D. J. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) activation suppresses induction of Egr-1 and its inflammatory gene targets in ischemic lungs.