Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligand-induced growth inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligands have been implicated in the growth inhibition and differentiation of certain human cancers with diverse tissue origin. In this study, expression of PPARγ in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the effect of PPARγ ligands on HCC cells were investigated in vitro using Hep G2, HUH-7, KYN-1 and KYN-2 cell lines. All cell lines were found to express functionally active PPARγ and a marked growth inhibition was induced by thiazolidinedione ligands troglitazone, and pioglitazone as well as with its natural ligand 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2. The growth inhibitory effect was associated with a dose-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression and α fetoprotein expression. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign.