PPARgamma as a potential therapeutic target in pulmonary hypertension

• Authors: Roy Sutliff, Emory University; Bum-Yong Kang, Emory University; Michael Hart, Emory University
• Journal Title: Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease
• Volume: Volume 4, Number 3
• Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US) | 2010-06, Pages 143-160
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/1753465809369619
• Subjects: Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: PPARγ; pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disorder of the pulmonary circulation associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathobiology of PH involves a complex series of derangements causing endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction and abnormal proliferation of pulmonary vascular wall cells that lead to increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. Recent evidence indicates that the ligand-activated transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) can have a favorable impact on a variety of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of PH. This review summarizes PPARγ biology and the emerging evidence that therapies designed to activate this receptor may provide novel approaches to the treatment of PH. Mediators of PH that are regulated by PPARγ are reviewed to provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of PPARγ ligands in PH.