IRIG: Macrophage as TZD target for insulin sensitization in Natureand JCI

TZD is a powerful medicine for improvement of insulin sensitivity in both human and animals. Adipocytes are generally believed as the primary target of TZD, which activates the nuclear receptor PPARg. PPARg expression is highest in adipocytes and adipocyte differentiation is induced by TZD. However, this concept is challenged by new studies published in Nature and JCI in June. Both studies consistently suggest that PPARg in macrophages is required for maintenance of insulin sensitivity and energy balance. When PPARg is specifically knocked out in macrophages, mice developed metabolic syndrom and lost response to TZD. See details in attached PDF files.  
 
       Akt is a serine kinase in insulin signaling pathway. The up- and down-stream molecules of Akt are actively studied in several fields, including endocrinology, immunology and cancer biology. The reason is that Akt is also involved in signaling transduction of other growth factors.
Attached include a review for Akt in this issue of Cell.  
 
By Jianping at PBRC/LSU

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Jianping Ye, MD
Professor of Molecular Biology
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 763-3163
Fax: (225) 763-2525
E-mail:
yej@pbrc.edu
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