Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPAR beta/delta) inhibits chemically induced skin tumorigenesis

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in Keratinocytes by Endogenous Fatty Acids

Nuclear hormone receptors exist in dynamic equilibrium between transcriptionally active and inactive complexes dependent on interactions with ligands, proteins, and chromatin. The present studies examined the hypothesis that endogenous ligands activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in keratinocytes. The phorbol ester treatment or HRAS infection of primary keratinocytes increased fatty acids that were associated with enhanced PPARβ/δ activity. Fatty acids caused PPARβ/δ-dependent increases in chromatin occupancy and the expression of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) mRNA. Analyses demonstrated that stearoyl Co-A desaturase 1 (Scd1) mediates an increase in intracellular monounsaturated fatty acids in keratinocytes that act as PPARβ/δ ligands. The activation of PPARβ/δ with palmitoleic or oleic acid causes arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle of HRAS-expressing keratinocytes that is not found in similarly treated HRAS-expressing Pparb/d-null keratinocytes. HRAS-expressing Scd1-null mouse keratinocytes exhibit enhanced cell proliferation, an effect that is mitigated by treatment with palmitoleic or oleic acid. Consistent with these findings, the ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with GW0742 or oleic acid prevented UVB-induced non-melanoma skin carcinogenesis, an effect that required PPARβ/δ. The results from these studies demonstrate that PPARβ/δ has endogenous roles in keratinocytes and can be activated by lipids found in diet and cellular components.

Nuclear receptors: Lipid and hormone sensors with essential roles in the control of cancer development

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that act as biological sensors and use a combination of mechanisms to modulate positively and negatively gene expression in a spatial and temporal manner. The highly orchestrated biological actions of several NRs influence the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of many different cell types. Synthetic ligands for several NRs have been the focus of extensive drug discovery efforts for cancer intervention. This review summarizes the roles in tumour growth and metastasis of several relevant NR family members, namely androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thyroid hormone receptor (TR), retinoic acid receptors (RARs), retinoid X receptors (RXRs), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and liver X receptors (LXRs). These studies are key to develop improved therapeutic agents based on novel modes of action with reduced side effects and overcoming resistance.

Deficiency in fibroblast PPARβ/δ reduces nonmelanoma skin cancers in mice

The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been increasing worldwide. Most studies have highlighted the importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in NMSC progression. However much less is known about the communication between normal fibroblasts and epithelia; disruption of this communication affects tumor initiation and the latency period in the emergence of tumors. Delineating the mechanism that mediates this epithelial-mesenchymal communication in NMSC could identify more effective targeted therapies. The nuclear receptor PPARβ/δ in fibroblasts has been shown to modulate adjacent epithelial cell behavior, however, its role in skin tumorigenesis remains unknown. Using chemically induced skin carcinogenesis, we showed that FSPCre-Pparb/d^ex4 mice, whose Pparb/d gene was selectively deleted in fibroblasts, had delayed emergence and reduced tumor burden compared with control mice (Pparb/d^fl/fl). However, FSPCre-Pparb/d^ex4-derived tumors showed increased proliferation, with no difference in differentiation, suggesting delayed tumor initiation. Network analysis revealed a link between dermal Pparb/d and TGF-β1 with epidermal NRF2 and Nox4. In vitro investigations showed that PPARβ/δ deficiency in fibroblasts increased epidermal Nox4-derived H₂O₂ production, which triggered an NRF2-mediated antioxidant response. We further showed that H₂O₂ upregulated NRF2 mRNA via the B-Raf-MEK1/2 pathway. The enhanced NRF2 response altered the activities of PTEN, Src, and AKT. In vivo, we detected the differential phosphorylation profiles of B-Raf, MEK1/2, PTEN, Src, and AKT in the vehicle-treated and chemically treated epidermis of FSPCre-Pparb/d^ex4 mice compared with that in Pparb/d^fl/fl mice, prior to the first appearance of tumors in Pparb/d^fl/fl. Our study revealed a role for fibroblast PPARβ/δ in the epithelial-mesenchymal communication involved in cellular redox homeostasis.

Regulatory mechanisms mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ in skin cancer

Considerable progress has been made during the past 20 years towards elucidating the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in skin cancer. In 1999, the original notion that PPARβ/δ was involved with epithelial cell function was postulated based on a correlation between PPARβ/δ expression and the induction of messenger RNAs encoding proteins that mediate terminal differentiation in keratinocytes. Subsequent studies definitively revealed that PPARβ/δ could induce terminal differentiation and inhibit proliferation of keratinocytes. Molecular mechanisms have since been discovered to explain how this nuclear receptor can be targeted for preventing and treating skin cancer. This includes the regulation of terminal differentiation, mitotic signaling, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and cellular senescence. Interestingly, the effects of activating PPARβ/δ can preferentially target keratinocytes with genetic mutations associated with skin cancer. This review provides the history and current understanding of how PPARβ/δ can be targeted for both nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma and postulates how future approaches that modulate PPARβ/δ signaling may be developed for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

Inhibition of tumorigenesis by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-dependent cell cycle blocks in human skin carcinoma cells

To examine the functional role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) and PPARγ in skin cancer, stable cell lines were created in the A431 human squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Expression of PPAR target genes was greatly enhanced in response to ligand activation of PPARβ/δ or PPARγ in A431 cells expressing these receptors. PPARβ/δ expression blocked the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and this effect was increased by ligand activation. Ligand activation of PPARβ/δ markedly inhibited clonogenicity as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Similarly, ligand activation of PPARγ in A431 cells expressing PPARγ resulted in reduced clonogenicity. Expression of either PPARβ/δ or PPARγ markedly reduced tumor volume in ectopic xenografts, while ligand activation of these receptors had little further influence on tumor volume. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that stable expression and activation of PPARβ/δ or PPARγ in A431 cells led to reduced tumorigenicity. Importantly, PPAR expression or ligand activation had major impacts on clonogenicity and/or tumor volume. Thus, PPARβ/δ or PPARγ could be therapeutically targeted for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas.

The Anticancer Potential of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Antagonists

The effects on cancer-cell proliferation and differentiation mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been widely studied, and pleiotropic outcomes in different cancer models and under different experimental conditions have been obtained. Interestingly, few studies report and little preclinical evidence supports the potential antitumor activity of PPAR antagonists. This review focuses on recent findings on the antitumor in vitro and in vivo effects observed for compounds able to inhibit the three PPAR subtypes in different tumor models, providing a rationale for the use of PPAR antagonists in the treatment of tumors expressing the corresponding receptors.

Molecular Pathways: Dietary Regulation of Stemness and Tumor Initiation by the PPAR-δ Pathway

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ) is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that regulates gene expression during development and disease states, such as cancer. However, the precise role of PPAR-δ during tumorigenesis is not well understood. Recent data suggest that PPAR-δ may have context-specific oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles depending on the tissue, cell-type, or diet-induced physiology in question. For example, in the intestine, pro-obesity diets, such as a high-fat diet (HFD), are associated with increased colorectal cancer incidence. Interestingly, many of the effects of an HFD in the stem and progenitor cell compartment are driven by a robust PPAR-δ program and contribute to the early steps of intestinal tumorigenesis. Importantly, the PPAR-δ pathway or its downstream mediators may serve as therapeutic intervention points or biomarkers in colon cancer that arise in patients who are obese. Although potent PPAR-δ agonists and antagonists exist, their clinical utility may be enhanced by uncovering how PPAR-δ mediates tumorigenesis in diverse tissues and cell types as well as in response to diet. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5636-41. ©2016 AACR.

Targeting Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) for Cancer Chemoprevention

The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in cancer remains contentious due in large part to divergent publications indicating opposing effects in different rodent and human cell culture models. During the past 10 years, some facts regarding PPARβ/δ in cancer have become clearer, while others remain uncertain. For example, it is now well accepted that (1) expression of PPARβ/δ is relatively lower in most human tumors as compared to the corresponding non-transformed tissue, (2) PPARβ/δ promotes terminal differentiation, and (3) PPARβ/δ inhibits pro-inflammatory signaling in multiple in vivo models. However, whether PPARβ/δ is suitable to target with natural and/or synthetic agonists or antagonists for cancer chemoprevention is hindered because of the uncertainty in the mechanism of action and role in carcinogenesis. Recent findings that shed new insight into the possibility of targeting this nuclear receptor to improve human health will be discussed.

Physiological functions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ, are a family of transcription factors activated by a diversity of molecules including fatty acids and fatty acid metabolites. PPARs regulate the transcription of a large variety of genes implicated in metabolism, inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation in different cell types. These transcriptional regulations involve both direct transactivation and interaction with other transcriptional regulatory pathways. The functions of PPARα and PPARγ have been extensively documented mainly because these isoforms are activated by molecules clinically used as hypolipidemic and antidiabetic compounds. The physiological functions of PPARβ remained for a while less investigated, but the finding that specific synthetic agonists exert beneficial actions in obese subjects uplifted the studies aimed to elucidate the roles of this PPAR isoform. Intensive work based on pharmacological and genetic approaches and on the use of both in vitro and in vivo models has considerably improved our knowledge on the physiological roles of PPARβ in various cell types. This review will summarize the accumulated evidence for the implication of PPARβ in the regulation of development, metabolism, and inflammation in several tissues, including skeletal muscle, heart, skin, and intestine. Some of these findings indicate that pharmacological activation of PPARβ could be envisioned as a therapeutic option for the correction of metabolic disorders and a variety of inflammatory conditions. However, other experimental data suggesting that activation of PPARβ could result in serious adverse effects, such as carcinogenesis and psoriasis, raise concerns about the clinical use of potent PPARβ agonists.

Modulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-dependent signaling by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in keratinocytes

Whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) reduces skin tumorigenesis by altering aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-dependent activities was examined. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) increased expression of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), CYP1B1 and phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in wild-type skin and keratinocytes. Surprisingly, this effect was not found in Pparβ/δ-null skin and keratinocytes. Pparβ/δ-null keratinocytes exhibited decreased AHR occupancy and histone acetylation on the Cyp1a1 promoter in response to a PAH compared with wild-type keratinocytes. Bisulfite sequencing of the Cyp1a1 promoter and studies using a DNA methylation inhibitor suggest that PPARβ/δ promotes demethylation of the Cyp1a1 promoter. Experiments with human HaCaT keratinocytes stably expressing shRNA against PPARβ/δ also support this conclusion. Consistent with the lower AHR-dependent activities in Pparβ/δ-null mice compared with wild-type mice, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin tumorigenesis was inhibited in Pparβ/δ-null mice compared with wild-type. Results from these studies demonstrate that PPARβ/δ is required to mediate complete carcinogenesis by DMBA. The mechanisms underlying this PPARβ/δ-dependent reduction of AHR signaling by PAH are not due to alterations in the expression of AHR auxiliary proteins, ligand binding or AHR nuclear translocation between genotypes, but are likely influenced by PPARβ/δ-dependent demethylation of AHR target gene promoters including Cyp1a1 that reduces AHR accessibility as shown by reduced promoter occupancy. This PPARβ/δ/AHR crosstalk is unique to keratinocytes and conserved between mice and humans.

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) promotes oncogene-induced cellular senescence through repression of endoplasmic reticulum stress

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ER stress-associated unfolded protein response (UPR) can promote cancer cell survival, but it remains unclear whether they can influence oncogene-induced senescence. The present study examined the role of ER stress in senescence using oncogene-dependent models. Increased ER stress attenuated senescence in part by up-regulating phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and decreasing phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK). A positive feed forward loop between p-AKT, ER stress, and UPR was discovered whereby a transient increase of ER stress caused reduced senescence and promotion of tumorigenesis. Decreased ER stress was further correlated with increased senescence in both mouse and human tumors. Interestingly, H-RAS-expressing Pparβ/δ null cells and tumors having increased cell proliferation exhibited enhanced ER stress, decreased cellular senescence, and/or enhanced tumorigenicity. Collectively, these results demonstrate a new role for ER stress and UPR that attenuates H-RAS-induced senescence and suggest that PPARβ/δ can repress this oncogene-induced ER stress to promote senescence in accordance with its role as a tumor modifier that suppresses carcinogenesis.

PPARβ/δ promotes HRAS-induced senescence and tumor suppression by potentiating p-ERK and repressing p-AKT signaling

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) inhibits skin tumorigenesis through mechanisms that may be dependent on HRAS signaling. The present study examined the hypothesis that PPARβ/δ promotes HRAS-induced senescence resulting in suppression of tumorigenesis. PPARβ/δ expression increased p-ERK and decreased p-AKT activity. Increased p-ERK activity results from the dampened HRAS-induced negative feedback response mediated in part through transcriptional upregulation of RAS guanyl-releasing protein 1 (RASGRP1) by PPARβ/δ. Decreased p-AKT activity results from repression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1) expression. Decreased p-AKT activity in turn promotes cellular senescence through upregulation of p53 and p27 expression. Both over-expression of RASGRP1 and shRNA-mediated knockdown of ILK partially restore cellular senescence in Pparβ/δ-null cells. Higher PPARβ/δ expression is also correlated with increased senescence observed in human benign neurofibromas and colon adenoma lesions in vivo. These results demonstrate that PPARβ/δ promotes senescence to inhibit tumorigenesis and provide new mechanistic insights into HRAS-induced cellular senescence.

Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor δ agonist GW0742 interacts weakly with multiple nuclear receptors, including the vitamin D receptor

A high-throughput screening campaign was conducted to identify small molecules with the ability to inhibit the interaction between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and steroid receptor coactivator 2. These inhibitors represent novel molecular probes for modulating gene regulation mediated by VDR. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) δ agonist GW0742 was among the identified VDR-coactivator inhibitors and has been characterized herein as a pan nuclear receptor antagonist at concentrations of > 12.1 μM. The highest antagonist activity for GW0742 was found for VDR and the androgen receptor. Surprisingly, GW0742 behaved as a PPAR agonist and antagonist, activating transcription at lower concentrations and inhibiting this effect at higher concentrations. A unique spectroscopic property of GW0742 was identified as well. In the presence of rhodamine-derived molecules, GW0742 increased the fluorescence intensity and level of fluorescence polarization at an excitation wavelength of 595 nm and an emission wavelength of 615 nm in a dose-dependent manner. The GW0742-inhibited NR-coactivator binding resulted in a reduced level of expression of five different NR target genes in LNCaP cells in the presence of agonist. Especially VDR target genes CYP24A1, IGFBP-3, and TRPV6 were negatively regulated by GW0742. GW0742 is the first VDR ligand inhibitor lacking the secosteroid structure of VDR ligand antagonists. Nevertheless, the VDR-meditated downstream process of cell differentiation was antagonized by GW0742 in HL-60 cells that were pretreated with the endogenous VDR agonist 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) as a new target for increased contractility without altering heart rate

Background and Aims

Agents having a positive inotropic effect on the heart are widely used for the treatment of heart failure. However, these agents have the side effect of altering heart rate. It has been established that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is mediated in cardiac contraction, however the effect on heart rate is unknown. Thus, we used an agonist of PPARδ, GW0742, to investigate this issue in the present study.

Methods and Results

We used isolated hearts in Langendorff apparatus and hemodynamic analysis in catheterized rats to measure the actions of GW0742 extra-vivo and in vivo. In diabetic rats with heart failure, GW0742 at a dose sufficient to activate PPARδ reversed cardiac contraction without changes in heart rate. In normal rats, PPARδ enhanced cardiac contractility and hemodynamic dP/dt_max significantly more than dobutamine. Both actions were diminished by GSK0660 at a dose enough to block PPARδ. However, GW0742 at the same dose failed to modify heart rate, although it did produce a mild increase in blood pressure. Detection of intracellular calcium level and Western blotting analysis showed that the intracellular calcium concentration and troponin I phosphorylation were both enhanced by GW0742.

Conclusion

Activation of PPARδ by GW0742 increases cardiac contractility but not heart rate. Thus, PPARδ may be a suitable target for the development of inotropic agents to treat heart failure without changing heart rate.

Nuclear hormone receptor functions in keratinocyte and melanocyte homeostasis, epidermal carcinogenesis and melanomagenesis

Skin homeostasis is maintained, in part, through regulation of gene expression orchestrated by type II nuclear hormone receptors in a cell and context specific manner. This group of transcriptional regulators is implicated in various cellular processes including epidermal proliferation, differentiation, permeability barrier formation, follicular cycling and inflammatory responses. Endogenous ligands for the receptors regulate actions during skin development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Type II nuclear receptor signaling is also important for cellular crosstalk between multiple cell types in the skin. Overall, these nuclear receptors are critical players in keratinocyte and melanocyte biology and present targets for cutaneous disease management.

PPARα agonist Wy14643 suppresses cathepsin B in human endothelial cells via transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms

Cathepsin B has been shown to be important in angiogenesis; therefore, understanding its regulation in endothelial cells should provide fundamental information that will aid in the development of new treatment options. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties. We explored the influence of a PPARα agonist on cathepsin B expression in human endothelial cells. The PPARα agonist, Wy14643, was found to inhibit cathepsin B protein expression. Further studies demonstrated the Wy14643-dependent but PPARα-independent suppression of cathepsin B. This has been previously described for other PPAR agonists. Wy14643 suppressed the accumulation of cathepsin B mRNA, which was accompanied by the selective suppression of a 5'-alternative splice variant. Consistent with these results, luciferase promoter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift analysis demonstrated that the suppression was facilitated by reduced binding of the transcription factors USF1/2 to an E-box within the cathepsin B promoter. Additionally, Wy14643 treatment resulted in a reduction in cathepsin B half-life, suggesting a posttranslational regulatory mechanism. Overall, our results suggest that the PPARα-dependent anti-angiogenic action of Wy14643 seems to be mediated, in part, by Wy14643-dependent but PPARα-independent regulation of cathepsin B expression.

Structural insights into human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta (PPAR-delta) selective ligand binding

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs δ, α and γ) are closely related transcription factors that exert distinct effects on fatty acid and glucose metabolism, cardiac disease, inflammatory response and other processes. Several groups developed PPAR subtype specific modulators to trigger desirable effects of particular PPARs without harmful side effects associated with activation of other subtypes. Presently, however, many compounds that bind to one of the PPARs cross-react with others and rational strategies to obtain highly selective PPAR modulators are far from clear. GW0742 is a synthetic ligand that binds PPARδ more than 300-fold more tightly than PPARα or PPARγ but the structural basis of PPARδ:GW0742 interactions and reasons for strong selectivity are not clear. Here we report the crystal structure of the PPARδ:GW0742 complex. Comparisons of the PPARδ:GW0742 complex with published structures of PPARs in complex with α and γ selective agonists and pan agonists suggests that two residues (Val312 and Ile328) in the buried hormone binding pocket play special roles in PPARδ selective binding and experimental and computational analysis of effects of mutations in these residues confirms this and suggests that bulky substituents that line the PPARα and γ ligand binding pockets as structural barriers for GW0742 binding. This analysis suggests general strategies for selective PPARδ ligand design.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ cross talks with E2F and attenuates mitosis in HRAS-expressing cells

The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in Harvey sarcoma ras (Hras)-expressing cells was examined. Ligand activation of PPARβ/δ caused a negative selection with respect to cells expressing higher levels of the Hras oncogene by inducing a mitotic block. Mitosis-related genes that are predominantly regulated by E2F were induced to a higher level in HRAS-expressing Pparβ/δ-null keratinocytes compared to HRAS-expressing wild-type keratinocytes. Ligand-activated PPARβ/δ repressed expression of these genes by direct binding with p130/p107, facilitating nuclear translocation and increasing promoter recruitment of p130/p107. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of PPARβ/δ cross talk with E2F signaling. Since cotreatment with a PPARβ/δ ligand and various mitosis inhibitors increases the efficacy of increasing G₂/M arrest, targeting PPARβ/δ in conjunction with mitosis inhibitors could become a suitable option for development of new multitarget strategies for inhibiting RAS-dependent tumorigenesis.

Dissecting the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in colon, breast, and lung carcinogenesis

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) is a promising drug target since its agonists increase serum high-density lipoprotein; decrease low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and insulin associated with metabolic syndrome; improve insulin sensitivity; and decrease high fat diet-induced obesity. PPARβ/δ agonists also promote terminal differentiation and elicit anti-inflammatory activities in many cell types. However, it remains to be determined whether PPARβ/δ agonists can be developed as therapeutics because there are reports showing either pro- or anti-carcinogenic effects of PPARβ/δ in cancer models. This review examines studies reporting the role of PPARβ/δ in colon, breast, and lung cancers. The prevailing evidence would suggest that targeting PPARβ/δ is not only safe but could have anti-carcinogenic protective effects.

Altered peroxisome-proliferator activated receptors expression in human endometrial cancer

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to a family of nuclear hormone receptors acting as transcriptional factors, recently involved also in carcinogenesis. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the presence and subcellular localization of different PPAR isoforms (α, β, γ) in healthy endometrial tissue (n = 10) and endometrial carcinoma (FIGO I, endometrioides type, G1, n = 35). We sought to analyze PPARs mRNA content as well as protein immunohistochemical expression that was further quantified by Western Blot technique. For both PPARα and PPARβ, protein expression was significantly higher in endometrial cancers compared to normal endometrial mucosa. In opposite, PPARγ protein expression was lower in endometrial cancer cells. In each case, immunohistochemical reaction was confined to the perinuclear and/or nuclear region. At the transcriptional level, the content of mRNA of all PPAR subunits did not follow the protein pattern of changes. These results provide evidence for altered PPAR's protein expression and disregulation of posttranslational processes in endometrial cancers.

The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in carcinogenesis and chemoprevention

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that are involved in regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation and differentiation. Although all of these functions might contribute to the influence of PPARs in carcinogenesis, there is a distinct need for a review of the literature and additional experimentation to determine the potential for targeting PPARs for cancer therapy and cancer chemoprevention. As PPAR agonists include drugs that are used for the treatment of metabolic diseases, a more complete understanding of the roles of PPARs in cancer will aid in determining any increased cancer risk for patients undergoing therapy with PPAR agonists.

Development of improved PPARβ/δ inhibitors

GSK0660 (1) is the first peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ-selective inhibitory ligand described in the literature. Based on its structure, we designed and synthesized a series of modified compounds to establish preliminary structure-activity relationships. Most beneficial for increased binding affinity towards the PPARβ/δ ligand binding domain was the replacement of the 4'-aminophenyl substituent by medium-length n-alkyl chains, such as n-butyl or iso-pentyl. These compounds show activity down to the one-digit nanomolar range, thus possessing up to a tenfold higher binding affinity compared with GSK0660. Additionally, the subtype-specific inhibition of PPARβ/δ was confirmed in a cell-based assay making these compounds invaluable tools for the further exploration of the functions of PPARβ/δ.

High-affinity peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ-specific ligands with pure antagonistic or inverse agonistic properties

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) is a ligand-regulated nuclear receptor with essential functions in metabolism and inflammation. We have synthesized a new derivative [methyl 3-(N-(4-(hexylamino)-2-methoxyphenyl)sulfamoyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate (ST247) structurally related to the published PPARβ/δ inhibitory ligand methyl 3-(N-(2-methoxy-4-(phenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate (GSK0660). ST247 has a higher affinity to PPARβ/δ than GSK0660, and at equimolar concentrations, it more efficiently 1) induces the interaction with corepressors both in vitro and in vivo, 2) inhibits the agonist-induced transcriptional activity of PPARβ/δ, and 3) down-regulates basal level expression of the peroxisome proliferator responsive element-driven PPARβ/δ target gene ANGPTL4. Methyl 3-(N-(4-(tert-butylamino)-2-methoxyphenyl)sulfamoyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate (PT-S58), another high-affinity derivative from our series, also efficiently inhibits agonist-induced transcriptional activation, but in contrast to ST247, it does not enhance the interaction of PPARβ/δ with corepressors. PT-S58 rather prevents corepressor recruitment triggered by the inverse agonist ST247. These findings classify ST247 as an inverse agonist, whereas PT-S58 is the first pure PPARβ/δ antagonist described to date. It is noteworthy that ST247 and PT-S58 are also effective on PPRE-independent functions of PPARβ/δ: in monocytic cells, both ligands modulate expression of the activation marker CCL2 in the opposite direction as an established PPARβ/δ agonist. The possibility to differentially modulate specific functions of PPARβ/δ makes these novel compounds invaluable tools to advance our understanding of PPARβ/δ biology.

Chemoprevention of chemically induced skin tumorigenesis by ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta and inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) activity by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can both attenuate skin tumorigenesis. The present study examined the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with inhibition of COX2 activity will increase the efficacy of chemoprevention of chemically induced skin tumorigenesis over that observed with either approach alone. To test this hypothesis, wild-type and Pparβ/δ-null mice were initiated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), topically treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to promote tumorigenesis, and then immediately treated with topical application of the PPARβ/δ ligand GW0742, dietary administration of the COX2 inhibitor nimesulide, or both GW0742 and nimesulide. Ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with GW0742 caused a PPARβ/δ-dependent delay in the onset of tumor formation. Nimesulide also delayed the onset of tumor formation and caused inhibition of tumor multiplicity (46%) in wild-type mice but not in Pparβ/δ-null mice. Combining ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with dietary nimesulide resulted in a further decrease of tumor multiplicity (58%) in wild-type mice but not in Pparβ/δ-null mice. Biochemical and molecular analysis of skin and tumor samples show that these effects were due to the modulation of terminal differentiation, attenuation of inflammatory signaling, and induction of apoptosis through both PPARβ/δ-dependent and PPARβ/δ-independent mechanisms. Increased levels and activity of PPARβ/δ by nimesulide were also observed. These studies support the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with inhibition of COX2 activity increases the efficacy of preventing chemically induced skin tumorigenesis as compared with either approach alone.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {delta} activators induce IL-8 expression in nonstimulated endothelial cells in a transcriptional and posttranscriptional manner

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that are implicated in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis. PPAR agonists have been shown to control inflammatory processes, in part by inhibiting distinct proinflammatory genes (e.g. Il-1β and IFN-γ). IL-8 is a member of the proinflammatory chemokine family that is important for various functions, such as mediating the adhesion of eosinophilic granulocytes onto endothelial cells. The influence of PPARδ activators on the expression of IL-8 in noninduced quiescent endothelial cells is unclear. Therefore, we explored the influence of PPARδ activators on the expression of IL-8 in nonstimulated endothelial cells. PPARδ agonists induce IL-8 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This induction is demonstrated at the level of both protein and mRNA expression. Transcriptional activation studies using IL-8 reporter gene constructs and DNA binding assays revealed that PPARδ agonists mediated their effects via an NFκB binding site. It is well known that IL-8 is also regulated by mRNA stability. To provide further evidence for this concept, we performed mRNA stability assays and found that PPARδ agonists induce the mRNA stability of IL-8. In addition, we showed that PPARδ agonists induce the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, which are known to be involved in the increase of mRNA stability. The inhibition of these MAPK signaling pathways resulted in a significant suppression of the induced IL-8 expression and the reduced mRNA stability. Therefore, our data provide the first evidence that PPARδ induces IL-8 expression in nonstimulated endothelial cells via transcriptional as well as posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Regulation of skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta

Agonists directed against the alpha and gamma isoforms of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have become important for the respective treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance associated with metabolic disease. PPARdelta is the least well characterized of the three PPAR isoforms. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is a primary risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. There is increasing evidence that PPARdelta is an important regulator of skeletal muscle metabolism, in particular, muscle lipid oxidation, highlighting the potential utility of this isoform as a drug target. In addition, PPARdelta seems to be a key regulator of skeletal muscle fiber type and a possible mediator of the adaptations noted in skeletal muscle in response to exercise. In this review we summarize the current status regarding the regulation, and the metabolic effects, of PPARdelta in skeletal muscle.

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 enhances inhibition of skin tumorigenesis

Ligand activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-beta/delta and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can attenuate skin tumorigenesis. There is also evidence that attenuation of skin tumorigenesis by inhibition of COX-2 activity occurs through PPARbeta/delta-independent mechanisms. The present study examined the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta with inhibition of COX-2 activity will cooperatively inhibit chemically induced skin tumor progression using both in vivo and ex vivo models. A two-stage chemical carcinogenesis bioassay was performed in wild-type and Pparbeta/delta-null mice. After 22 weeks, cohorts of both mouse lines were divided into four experimental groups: (1) control, (2) topical application of the PPARbeta/delta ligand GW0742, (3) dietary administration of the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide, or (4) both GW0742 and nimesulide. Ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta did not influence skin tumor progression, while a modest decrease in skin tumor multiplicity was observed with dietary nimesulide. Interestingly, the combined treatment of GW0742 and nimesulide increased the efficacy of the decrease in papilloma multiplicity for 6 weeks in wild-type mice, but this effect was not found at later time points and was not found in similarly treated Pparbeta/delta-null mice. Neoplastic keratinocyte lines cultured with GW0742 and nimesulide also exhibited enhanced inhibition of cell proliferation coincident with increased expression of Keratin messenger RNAs. Results from these studies support the hypothesis that combining ligand activation of PPARbeta/delta with inhibition of COX-2 activity can inhibit chemically induced skin tumor progression by modulating differentiation.

Sorting out the functional role(s) of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) in cell proliferation and cancer

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) has many beneficial physiological functions ranging from enhancing fatty acid catabolism, improving insulin sensitivity, inhibiting inflammation and increasing oxidative myofibers allowing for improved athletic performance. Thus, given the potential for targeting PPARbeta/delta for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases including diabetes, dyslipidemias, metabolic syndrome and cancer, it is critical to clarify the functional role of PPARbeta/delta in cell proliferation and associated disorders such as cancer. However, there is considerable controversy whether PPARbeta/delta stimulates or inhibits cell proliferation. This review summarizes the literature describing the influence of PPARbeta/delta on cell proliferation, with an emphasis toward dissecting the data that give rise to opposing hypotheses. Suggestions are offered to standardize measurements associated with these studies so that interlaboratory comparisons can be accurately assessed.