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Functions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) in skin homeostasis

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Lipids

Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to the nuclear hormone receptor family. Three isotypes (PPARα, PPARβ or δ, and PPARγ) with distinct tissue distributions and cellular functions have been found in vertebrates. All three PPAR isotypes are expressed in rodent and human skin. They were initially investigated for a possible function in the establishment of the permeability barrier in skin because of their known function in lipid metabolism in other cell types. In vitro studies using specific PPAR agonists and in vivo gene disruption approaches in mice indeed suggest an important contribution of PPARα in the formation of the epidermal barrier and in sebocyte differentiation. The PPARγ isotype plays a role in stimulating sebocyte development and lipogenesis, but does not appear to contribute to epidermal tissue differentiation. The third isotype, PPARβ, regulates the late stages of sebaceous cell differentiation, and is the most effective isotype in stimulating lipid production in these cells, both in rodents and in humans. In addition, PPARβ activation has pro-differentiating effects in kera-tinocytes under normal and inflammatory conditions. Finally, preliminary studies also point to a potential role of PPAR in hair follicle growth and in melanocyte differentiation. By their diverse biological effects on cell proliferation and differentiation in the skin, PPAR agonists or antagonists may offer interesting oppotunities for the treatment of various skin disorders characterized by inflammation, cell hyperproliferation, and aberrant differentiation.

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Abbreviations

ADRP:

adipose differentiation-related protein

E:

embryonic day

FIAF:

fasting-induced adipose factor

PPAR:

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

PPRE:

peroxisome proliferator response element

RXR:

retinoid X receptor

TNF:

tumor necrosis factor

TPA:

tetradecanoylphorbol acetate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Integrative Genomics, NCCR Frontiers in Genetics, University of Lausanne, Biology Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Nicolas Di-Poï, Liliane Michalik, Béatrice Desvergne & Walter Wahli

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  1. Nicolas Di-Poï
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  2. Liliane Michalik
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  3. Béatrice Desvergne
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  4. Walter Wahli
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Correspondence to Walter Wahli.

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Di-Poï, N., Michalik, L., Desvergne, B. et al. Functions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) in skin homeostasis. Lipids 39, 1093–1099 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-004-1335-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-004-1335-y

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