Disruption of transforming growth factor β signaling and profibrotic responses in normal skin fibroblasts by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ

Abstract

By abrogating of TGF beta-induced stimulation of collagen gene expression, myofibroblast transdifferentiation, and Smad-dependent promoter activity in normal fibroblasts, PPAR gamma may play a physiologic role in the regulation of the profibrotic response. Furthermore, our results suggest that PPAR gamma activation by pharmacologic agonists may represent a novel approach to the control of fibrosis in scleroderma.