Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?): A master gatekeeper in CNS injury and repair

DOI

10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.10.002

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-1-2018

Publication Title

Progress in Neurobiology

Volume

163-164

First Page

27

Last Page

58

ISSN

3010082

Keywords

Inflammation, Nrf2, Remyelination, Stroke, Thiazolidinedione, Traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) is a widely expressed ligand-modulated transcription factor that governs the expression of genes involved in inflammation, redox equilibrium, trophic factor production, insulin sensitivity, and the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Synthetic PPAR? agonists (e.g. thiazolidinediones) are used to treat Type II diabetes and have the potential to limit the risk of developing brain injuries such as stroke by mitigating the influence of comorbidities. If brain injury develops, PPAR? serves as a master gatekeeper of cytoprotective stress responses, improving the chances of cellular survival and recovery of homeostatic equilibrium. In the acute injury phase, PPAR? directly restricts tissue damage by inhibiting the NF?B pathway to mitigate inflammation and stimulating the Nrf2/ARE axis to neutralize oxidative stress. During the chronic phase of acute brain injuries, PPAR? activation in injured cells culminates in the repair of gray and white matter, preservation of the blood-brain barrier, reconstruction of the neurovascular unit, resolution of inflammation, and long-term functional recovery. Thus, PPAR? lies at the apex of cell fate decisions and exerts profound effects on the chronic progression of acute injury conditions. Here, we review the therapeutic potential of PPAR? in stroke and brain trauma and highlight the novel role of PPAR? in long-term tissue repair. We describe its structure and function and identify the genes that it targets. PPAR? regulation of inflammation, metabolism, cell fate (proliferation/differentiation/maturation/survival), and many other processes also has relevance to other neurological diseases. Therefore, PPAR? is an attractive target for therapies against a number of progressive neurological disorders.

Open Access

Green Accepted

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