The role of PPARγ in pulmonary vascular disease

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. Thiazolidine-diones, pharmacological ligands for PPAR gamma, are currently used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is expressed in the lung and pulmonary vasculature, and its expression is reduced in the vascular lesions of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, thiazolidinedione PPAR gamma ligands reduced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in several experimental models of pulmonary hypertension. This report reviews current evidence that PPAR gamma may represent a novel therapeutic target in pulmonary hypertension and examines studies that have begun to elucidate mechanisms that underlie these potential terapeutic effects.