Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor PPARδ promotes induction of PPARγ and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3C2 fibroblasts

Nutritional long chain fatty acids control adipose tissue mass by regulating the number and the size of adipocytes. The molecular mechanisms implicated in this action of fatty acids remain poorly understood. It has been well established that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, activated by specific prostanoids, plays a central role in the control of adipocyte gene expression and terminal differentiation. Thus far, the role of PPAR delta in the control of adipose tissue mass has remained unclear. Herein, we report the effects of ectopically expressed PPAR delta on the control of adipose-related gene expression and adipogenesis of 3T3C2 fibroblasts. Treatment of PPAR delta-expressing fibroblasts with fatty acids alone did not stimulate adipogenesis, whereas exposure of cells to a combination of fatty acids and PPAR gamma activators promoted lipid accumulation and expression of a typical adipocyte program. At the molecular level, activation of PPAR delta by fatty acids induced transcription of the genes encoding fatty acid transporter, adipocyte lipid-binding protein, and PPAR gamma. Subsequent activation of PPAR gamma by specific agonists appeared to be required to promote terminal differentiation. These data demonstrate that PPAR gamma gene expression is under the control of PPAR delta activated by fatty acids and could explain, at least partially, the adipogenic action of nutritional fatty acids.