OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of troglitazone, a proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist, on the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and matrix metalloproteainse-9 (MMP-9) and cell proliferation in HeLa cells.

METHODSMTT assay was used to measure the cell viability at different time points (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) after exposure to troglitazone. RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1, MMP-9 and PPARγ in the cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed to assess the changes in DNA binding activity of PPARγ.

RESULTSThe viability of HeLa cells were time-dependently inhibited by troglitazone, which also significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and MMP-9 and increased PPARγ expression. The effects of troglitazone in inhibiting the cell viability and reducing ICAM-1 and MMP-9 expressions were antagonized by the application of the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. The result of EMSA also showed significantly increased DNA binding activity of PPARγ in the cells exposed to troglitazone.

CONCLUSIONThe PPARγ agonist troglitazone can inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 and MMP-9 in HeLa cells by up-regulating PPARγ.