The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in blood pressure regulation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. It is expressed in adipocytes, immune cells, and cardiovascular cells that include cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. PPARγ plays a role in regulating cellular anti-inflammatory responses and is a mediator of insulin sensitization induced by thiazolidinediones, which also can reduce elevated blood pressure both clinically and experimentally. As a result, research regarding the role of PPARγ in blood pressure homeostasis is ongoing. Recent studies have demonstrated that increases or decreases in blood pressure phenotype may be PPARγ-dependent and involve a number of different signaling pathways. Furthermore, studies using PPARγ mutant transgenic and knockout animal models provide further evidence regarding a role for endothelial-cell and vascular smooth muscle-cell PPARγ in blood pressure regulation. However, there is a need for further research regarding PPARγ- mediated mechanisms involved in maintaining physiologic control of blood pressure.