Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma regulates eosinophil functions: a new therapeutic target for allergic airway inflammation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulates lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. PPARgamma is not only highly expressed in adipose tissue but also in cells involved in the immune system, and it exerts anti-inflammatory activities. We showed that eosinophils, a major inflammatory cell in allergic inflammation, express PPARgamma. PPARgamma negatively modulates eosinophil functions, such as survival, chemotaxis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and degranulation. Recently, three independent groups have demonstrated that PPARgamma agonists inhibit airway inflammation in an animal model of asthma. This evidence suggests that PPARgamma agonists may be a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of allergic diseases including asthma. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel