Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated ReceptorαPlays an Important Role in the Expression of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 and Neointimal Hyperplasia after Vascular Injury

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorαis a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. It modulates smooth muscle cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokines in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that PPARαwould decrease the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tissue factor, and inhibit neointimal formation in a murine double carotid artery injury model. Carotid artery injury was performed in the PPARαknockout and wild type (WT) mice, treated and untreated with Wy14643, a PPARαactivator. Up-regulated MCP-1 and TF expression and more neointimal formation were observed in the PPARα−/−mice compared with WT mice. The activation of PPARαresulted in further decreased neointimal formation. Our data further suggest that the decrease in neointimal formation is due to down-regulation of MCP-1 by PPARαresulting in decreased leukocyte infiltration and TF expression.