Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) after balloon injury
significantly inhibits VSMC proliferation and neointima formation. However, the precise
mechanisms of this inhibition have not been determined. We hypothesized that activation of
PPARγ in vascular injury could attenuate VSMC growth and matrix production during
vascular lesion formation. Since connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a key factor
regulating extracellular matrix production, abrogation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) …