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Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARa), Beta (PPARI3), and Gamma (PPARy) Expression in Human Fetal Tissues.
Citation:
ABBOTT, B. D., C. R. WOOD, A. WATKINS, K. DAS, AND C. LAU. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARa), Beta (PPARI3), and Gamma (PPARy) Expression in Human Fetal Tissues. Presented at Teratology Society Meeting, Louisville, KY, June 26 - 30, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
This study uses qPCR and Western blot to examine expression of PPARa, 13, and y mRNA and protein in gestation day 54-125 human fetal liver, heart, lung, kidney, stomach, intestine, adrenal, spleen, and thymus.
Description:
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulate lipid and glucose homeostasis, are targets of pharmaceuticals, and are also activated by environmental contaminants. Almost nothing is known about expression of PPARs during human fetal development. This study uses qPCR and Western blot to examine expression of PPARa, 13, and y mRNA and protein in gestation day 54-125 human fetal liver, heart, lung, kidney, stomach, intestine, adrenal, spleen, and thymus. Fetal tissues were obtained from the Birth Defects Research Laboratory at the University of Washington, Seattle. Fetal PPAR mRNA expression was compared to that of adult samples (First Choice Human Total RNA, Ambion, Inc). With increasing fetal age, mRNA expression of PPARa and 13 increased in liver, but PPARI3 decreased in heart and intestine, and PPARy decreased in adrenal. Adult and fetal mean expression of PPAR mRNAs did not differ in intestine, but fetal expression of PPAR mRNAs was lower in stomach and heart compared to adult levels. PPARy in liver and PPARI3 in thymus were expressed at higher levels in fetal tissues. PPARa and 13 mRNA expression was lower in fetal kidney and spleen compared to the adult, and PPARy was lower in fetal lung and adrenal compared to adult expression. PPARa, 13, and y protein did not change with age in liver, heart, stomach, spleen, or thymus. PPARa protein increased with age in intestine and decreased in lung, kidney and adrenal. PPARI3 decreased with age in adrenal and PPARy decreased in kidney. This study provides new information on expression of PPAR isoforms during human development and will be important in evaluating the potential for the developing human to respond to PPAR agonists. This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.