Transgenic expression of mutant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in liver precipitates fasting-induced steatosis but protects against high-fat diet-induced steatosis in mice

Steatosis is one of the most common liver diseases and is associated with the metabolic syndrome. A line of evidence suggests that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and PPARgamma are involved in its pathogenesis. Hepatic overexpression of PPARgamma1 in mice provokes steatosis, whereas liver-specific PPARgamma disruption ameliorates steatosis in ob/ob mice, suggesting that hepatic PPARgamma functions as an aggravator of steatosis. In contrast, PPARalpha-null mice are susceptible to steatosis because of reduced hepatic fatty acid oxidation. PPARgamma with mutations in its C-terminal ligand-binding domain (L468A/E471A mutant PPARgamma1) have been reported as a constitutive repressor of both PPARalpha and PPARgamma activities in vitro. To elucidate the effect of co-suppression of PPARalpha and PPARgamma on steatosis, we generated mutant PPARgamma transgenic mice (Liver mt PPARgamma Tg) under the control of liver-specific human serum amyloid P component promoter. In the liver of transgenic mice, PPARalpha and PPARgamma agonist-induced augmentation of the expression of downstream target genes of PPARalpha and PPARgamma, respectively, was significantly attenuated, suggesting PPARalpha and PPARgamma co-suppression in vivo. Suppression of PPARalpha and PPARgamma target genes was also observed in the fasted and high-fat-fed conditions. Liver mt PPARgamma Tg were susceptible to fasting-induced steatosis while being protected against high-fat diet-induced steatosis. The opposite hepatic outcomes in Liver mt PPARgamma Tg as a result of fasting and high-fat feeding may indicate distinct roles of PPARalpha and PPARgamma in 2 different types of nutritionally provoked steatosis.