Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptorγin Ocular Diseases

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays an important role in the control of a variety of physiological processes. The last decade has witnessed an increasing interest for the role played by the agonists of PPARγin antiangiogenesis, antifibrosis, anti-inflammation effects and in controlling oxidative stress response in various organs. As the pathologic mechanisms of major blinding diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), keratitis, and optic neuropathy, often involve neoangiogenesis and inflammation- and oxidative stress-mediated cell death, evidences are accumulating on the potential benefits of PPARγto improve or prevent these vision threatening eye diseases. In this paper we describe what is known about the role of PPARγin the ocular pathophysiological processes and PPARγagonists as novel adjuvants in the treatment of eye diseases.