Investigating the Role of PPARβ/δ in Retinal Vascular Remodeling Using <i>Pparβ</i>/<i>δ</i>-Deficient Mice

• Main Authors: Sze Yuan Ho, Yuet Ping Kwan, Beiying Qiu, Alison Tan, Hannah Louise Murray, Veluchamy Amutha Barathi, Nguan Soon Tan, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung, Tien Yin Wong, Walter Wahli, Xiaomeng Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: PPARβ/δ; angiogenesis; blood vessel remodeling; pericytes; vessel caliber; arteriovenous crossover
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/12/4403
• ISSN: 1661-6596; 1422-0067

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)β/δ is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors, which plays fundamental roles in cell proliferation and differentiation, inflammation, adipogenesis, and energy homeostasis. Previous studies demonstrated a reduced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in <i>Pparβ</i>/<i>δ</i>-deficient mice. However, PPARβ/δ’s role in physiological blood vessel formation and vessel remodeling in the retina has yet to be established. Our study showed that PPARβ/δ is specifically required for disordered blood vessel formation in the retina. We further demonstrated an increased arteriovenous crossover and wider venous caliber in <i>Pparβ</i>/<i>δ</i>-haplodeficient mice. In summary, these results indicated a critical role of PPARβ/δ in pathological angiogenesis and blood vessel remodeling in the retina.