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Takeshi Kanda, Jonathan D. Brown, Gabriela Orasanu, Silke Vogel, Frank J. Gonzalez, Juliano Sartoretto, Thomas Michel, Jorge Plutzky
Published in Volume 119, Issue 1
J Clin Invest. 2009; 119(1):110–124 doi:10.1172/JCI36233
Abstract | Full text | PDF
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Figure 12
PPARγ in the endothelium integrates metabolic and vascular phenotypes.

Studies in mice lacking PPARγ in the endothelium identify endothelial PPARγ as controlling specific metabolic and vascular responses to high-fat diet, as summarized. After high-fat diet feeding, mice lacking endothelial PPARγ manifest increased plasma TG and FFA levels, decreased adiposity, less skeletal muscle TG accumulation, and decreased insulin resistance (IR). This phenotype derives from endothelial PPARγ regulation of target genes involved in TG metabolism as well as FA uptake and handling, including Cd36, aP2, CRBP-III, and Gpihbp1. In contrast, livers in endothelial PPARγ-deficient mice have greater TG accumulation, increased VLDL production, and decreased AKT phosphorylation. In the liver, the endothelium is fenestrated, which fosters FFA uptake, while in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, a nonfenestrated endothelium is found. The dyslipidemia seen in endothelial PPARγ-deficient mice after high-fat diet and acute lipid loading involves both increased VLDL production and inhibition of LPL function by elevated FFA levels. The metabolic improvements evident in endothelial PPARγ-deficient mice contrast with their impaired arterial vasodilation, highlighting the tissue-specific actions of endothelial PPARγ, the role of the endothelium in directing metabolic responses, and the concept of metabolic endothelial function/dysfunction.