A role for PPARγ in the regulation of cytokines in immune cells and cancer

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor and a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. PPAR γ and its ligands appear to serve diverse biological functions. In addition to the well-studied effects of PPAR γ on metabolism and cellular differentiation, abundant evidence suggests that PPAR γ is an important regulator of the immune system and cancers. Since cytokines are not only key modulators of inflammation with pro- and anti-inflammatory functions but they also can either stimulate or inhibit tumor growth and progression, this review summarizes the role for PPAR γ in the regulation of cytokine production and cytokine-mediated signal transduction pathways in immune cells and cancer. Copyright © 2008 Xiao Yi Yang et al.