Nuclear hormone receptors and mouse skin homeostasis: implication of PPARbeta

PPARbeta is expressed in the mouse epidermis during fetal development, and progressively disappears from the interfollicular epidermis after birth. Interestingly, its expression is strongly reactivated in the adult epidermis in conditions where keratinocyte proliferation is induced and during wound healing. Data obtained on PPARbeta heterozygous mice reveal that PPARbeta is implicated in the control of keratinocyte proliferation and is necessary for rapid healing of a skin wound.     

PPARbeta/delta activation inhibits angiotensin II-induced collagen type I expression in rat cardiac fibroblasts

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARalpha, beta/delta and gamma) are nuclear receptors and PPARgamma activation was previously reported to inhibit collagen expression in the heart, but whether PPARbeta/delta also regulates collagen expression in the heart remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of PPARbeta/delta activation on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced collagen type I expression in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. The results showed that PPARbeta/delta was expressed at the moderate level in cardiac fibroblasts. GW501516, a selective PPARbeta/delta agonist, depressed Ang II-stimulated collagen type I expression and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, these inhibitory effects of GW501516 were completely reversed by the knockdown of PPARbeta/delta via RNA interference. In summary, we find that PPARbeta/delta is present in cardiac fibroblasts and PPARbeta/delta activation inhibits Ang II-induced collagen type I expression at least in part via decreasing collagen synthesis. PPARbeta/delta may be a promising therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis.     

Selective expression of a dominant-negative form of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in keratinocytes leads to impaired epidermal healing

Many nuclear hormone receptors are involved in the regulation of skin homeostasis. However, their role in the epithelial compartment of the skin in stress situations, such as skin healing, has not been addressed yet. The healing of a skin wound after an injury involves three major cell types: immune cells, which are recruited to the wound bed; dermal fibroblasts; and epidermal and hair follicle keratinocytes. Our previous studies have revealed important but nonredundant roles of PPARalpha and beta/delta in the reparation of the skin after a mechanical injury in the adult mouse. However, the mesenchymal or epithelial cellular compartment in which PPARalpha and beta/delta play a role could not be determined in the null mice used, which have a germ line PPAR gene invalidation. In the present work, the role of PPARalpha was studied in keratinocytes, using transgenic mice that express a PPARalpha mutant with dominant-negative (dn) activity specifically in keratinocytes. This dn PPARalpha lacks the last 13 C terminus amino acids, binds to a PPARalpha agonist, but is unable to release the nuclear receptor corepressor and to recruit the coactivator p300. When selectively expressed in keratinocytes of transgenic mice, dn PPARalphaDelta13 causes a delay in the healing of skin wounds, accompanied by an exacerbated inflammation. This phenotype, which is similar to that observed in PPARalpha null mice, strongly suggests that during skin healing, PPARalpha is required in keratinocytes rather than in other cell types.     

PPARbeta/delta selectively induces differentiation and inhibits cell proliferation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) beta-null mice exhibit exacerbated epithelial cell proliferation and enhanced sensitivity to skin carcinogenesis, suggesting that ligand activation of PPARbeta will inhibit keratinocyte proliferation. By using of a highly specific ligand (GW0742) and the PPARbeta-null mouse model, activation of PPARbeta was found to selectively induce keratinocyte terminal differentiation and inhibit keratinocyte proliferation. Additionally, GW0742 was found to be anti-inflammatory due to inhibition of myeloperoxidase activity, independent of PPARbeta. These data suggest that ligand activation of PPARbeta could be a novel approach to selectively induce differentiation and inhibit cell proliferation, thus representing a new molecular target for the treatment of skin disorders resulting from altered cell proliferation such as psoriasis and cancer.     

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>)

Peroxisomes increase in size and number in responsive animals ranging from mammals to marine mussels and fish species when treated with certain compounds named peroxisome proliferators. This phenomenon, known as peroxisome proliferation, is mediated by nuclear receptors termed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Three PPAR subtypes have been described (alpha, beta, and gamma) and in mammals PPARalpha is mainly expressed in tissues that catabolize fatty acids, PPARbeta is ubiquitously distributed, and PPARgamma is mainly expressed in the adipose tissue and immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze the tissue distribution of different PPAR subtypes in zebrafish Danio rerio using commercially available antibodies against PPARalpha, PPARbeta, and PPARgamma. In western blots, specific bands were detected at about 58 kDa for PPARalpha and PPARbeta. For PPARgamma the band was detected at 56 kDa. Similar results were obtained in mouse liver homogenates used as positive control, indicating the specificity of the antibodies. Immunohistochemistry was performed in paraformaldehyde-fixed tissue using either microwave or microwave plus trypsin pretreatment for antigen retrieval. In zebrafish, PPARalpha was expressed mainly in liver parenchymal cells, proximal tubules of kidney, enterocytes, and pancreas. PPARbeta showed a widespread distribution and was expressed in the liver, proximal and distal tubules and glomeruli of the kidney, pancreas, enterocytes and smooth muscle of the intestine, skin epithelium, lymphocytes, and male and female gonads. PPARgamma expression was weak in pancreatic cells, intestine, and gonads for both pretreatments. Most of the signal detected was cytoplasmic; only in the cases of PPARalpha and PPARbeta was some nuclear labeling detected in the liver. In mouse tissues, the distribution of PPAR subtypes was similar to that described previously for rats. Our results demonstrate that all three distinct PPAR subtypes are present in zebrafish. The tissue and cellular distribution of PPAR subtypes in zebrafish resembled partly that described before in mammals. Further studies are needed to decipher the functions of PPAR subtypes in zebrafish and other aquatic organisms and particularly their role in regulation of metabolic responses to xenobiotic exposure.     

Isoform specific changes in PPAR alpha and beta in colon and breast cancer with differentiation

To investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and beta in the differentiation of colon cancer cells, we differentiated HT-29 cells using sodium butyrate (NaB) and culturing post-confluence and assessed differentiation using the marker intestinal alkaline phosphatase. While PPARalpha levels only changed with culturing post confluence, PPARbeta levels increased independent of the method of differentiation. To explore further the differences induced by NaB, we assessed changes in both PPAR isoforms in MCF-7 breast cancer cells cultured in the presence of NaB over 48h. Again a very different expression pattern was observed with PPARalpha increasing after 4h and remaining elevated, while PPARbeta increased transiently. Our studies suggest that the expression of PPARs is dependent upon both the method of differentiation and on time. Moreover, these studies show that changes in PPARalpha levels are not required for the differentiation of colon cancer cell lines, whereas changes in PPARbeta are more closely associated with differentiation.     

Double gene deletion reveals the lack of cooperation between PPARalpha and PPARbeta in skeletal muscle

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in the regulation of most of the pathways linked to lipid metabolism. PPARalpha and PPARbeta isotypes are known to regulate muscle fatty acid oxidation and a reciprocal compensation of their function has been proposed. Herein, we investigated muscle contractile and metabolic phenotypes in PPARalpha-/-, PPARbeta-/-, and double PPARalpha-/- beta-/- mice. Heart and soleus muscle analyses show that the deletion of PPARalpha induces a decrease of the HAD activity (beta-oxidation) while soleus contractile phenotype remains unchanged. A PPARbeta deletion alone has no effect. However, these mild phenotypes are not due to a reciprocal compensation of PPARbeta and PPARalpha functions since double gene deletion PPARalpha-PPARbeta mostly reproduces the null PPARalpha-mediated reduced beta-oxidation, in addition to a shift from fast to slow fibers. In conclusion, PPARbeta is not required for maintaining skeletal muscle metabolic activity and does not compensate the lack of PPARalpha in PPARalpha null mice.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligands negatively regulate the expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor Fc epsilon RI in human basophilic KU812 cells

The high-affinity IgE receptor Fc epsilon RI is expressed on the cell surface of mast cells and basophils, and plays a central role in IgE-mediated inflammatory reactions. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been implicated in the anti-inflammatory response. To investigate a possible role for PPAR in human basophils, the effect of PPAR ligands on Fc epsilon RI expression in human basophilic KU812 cells was studied. The PPARalpha ligand, leukotriene B(4), did not affect the cell surface expression of Fc epsilon RI. However, prostaglandin (PG) A(1) and 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), which are PPARbeta and gamma ligands, respectively, were both able to decrease Fc epsilon RI expression. Treatment with PGA(1) or 15d-PGJ(2) separately also reduced histamine release from KU812 cells in response to cross-linkage of Fc epsilon RI. In addition, RT-PCR analysis showed that KU812 cells expressed the mRNA for PPARalpha, beta, and gamma, indicating that PPARbeta or gamma may negatively regulate the cell activation via Fc epsilon RI. Cells treated with 15d-PGJ(2) expressed lower levels of Fc epsilon RI alpha and gamma mRNA, and PGA(1) treatment decreased the level of Fc epsilon RI gamma mRNA. These results suggest that the suppression of Fc epsilon RI expression by PPARs may be due to the down-regulation of Fc epsilon RI alpha or gamma mRNA.     

PPAR expression and function during vertebrate development

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand activated receptors which belong to the nuclear hormone receptor family. As with other members of this superfamily, it is thought that the ability of PPAR to bind to a ligand was acquired during metazoan evolution. Three different PPAR isotypes (PPARalpha, PPARbeta, also called 6, and PPARgamma) have been identified in various species. Upon binding to an activator, these receptors stimulate the expression of target genes implicated in important metabolic pathways. The present article is a review of PPAR expression and involvement in some aspects of Xenopus laevis and rodent embryonic development. PPARalpha and beta are ubiquitously expressed in Xenopus early embryos but become more tissue restricted later in development. In rodents, PPARalpha, PPARbeta and PPARgamma show specific time- and tissue-dependent patterns of expression during fetal development and in the adult animals. PPARs are implicated in several aspects of tissue differentiation and rodent development, such as differentiation of the adipose tissue, brain, placenta and skin. Particular attention is given to studies undertaken by us and others on the implication of PPARalpha and beta in rodent epidermal differentiation.     

Expression patterns of the chicken peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) during the development of the digestive organs

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play very important roles in various biological phenomena such as regulation of lipid metabolism, homeostasis, cell differentiation and proliferation, in a variety of organs and tissues. However, their functions in the development of the digestive organs have not been studied yet, although it has been supposed that they are involved in the tumor development and regression of digestive organs. To provide fundamental data to analyze functions of PPARs in the developing digestive organs in the chicken embryos, we performed thorough analysis of expression of PPARalpha, beta (delta) and gamma in the esophagus, proventriculus (glandular stomach), gizzard (muscular stomach), small and large intestines from early developmental stages to post hatch stages. The results showed that each PPAR is expressed in spatio-temporally regulated manner. In general, PPARbeta is widely expressed among digestive organs whereas PPARalpha and gamma showed restricted expression. In the intestine, all PPARs are expressed after hatch, indicating that they play important roles in the physiology of the adult intestine.     

Involvement of follicular stem cells in forming not only the follicle but also the epidermis

The location of follicular and epidermal stem cells in mammalian skin is a crucial issue in cutaneous biology. We demonstrate that hair follicular stem cells, located in the bulge region, can give rise to several cell types of the hair follicle as well as upper follicular cells. Moreover, we devised a double-label technique to show that upper follicular keratinocytes emigrate into the epidermis in normal newborn mouse skin, and in adult mouse skin in response to a penetrating wound. These findings indicate that the hair follicle represents a major repository of keratinocyte stem cells in mouse skin, and that follicular bulge stem cells are potentially bipotent as they can give rise to not only the hair follicle, but also the epidermis.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and skin development

PPARs are nuclear hormone receptors. PPAR subtypes (alpha, gamma, delta, the latter a xPPARbeta homologue) were initially investigated in skin because of their known role in regulating lipid metabolism. Studies adding specific PPAR ligand activators to cultured skin or skin cells are compatible with the concepts that PPARalpha activation mediates early lipogenic steps common to the function of both skin epidermal cells (keratinocytes) and sebaceous cells (sebocytes), PPARgamma activation plays a unique role in stimulating sebocyte lipogenesis, and PPARdelta activation may contribute to lipid biosynthesis in both sebocytes and keratinocytes under certain circumstances. Epidermal keratinocytes appear to express small amounts of PPARalpha and PPARdelta mRNA and a trace of PPARgamma mRNA which is up-regulated with differentiation. Sebocytes express all subtypes; PPARgamma gene expression excedes that in epidermis. The emerging data on PPAR protein expression suggests that epidermis normally expresses predominantly PPARalpha, while sebocytes express more PPARgamma than PPARalpha. These expression patterns may change during hyperplasia, differentiation and inflammation. Gene disruption studies in mice are compatible with a contribution of PPARalpha to skin barrier function, suggest that PPARgamma is necessary for sebocyte differentiation, and indicate that PPARdelta can ameliorate inflammatory responses in skin. PPARs appear to play a role in keratinocyte synthesis of the lipids that they export to the intercellular space to form the skin permeability barrier. They also appear to be important for sebocyte formation of the intracellular fused lipid droplets that constitute the holocrine secretion of the sebaceous gland. In addition, they may play roles in keratinocyte growth and differentiation and the inhibition of skin inflammation by diverse mechanisms not necessarily related to fat metabolism.