Abstract: Objective To 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. Methods MTT 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. Results The 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. Conclusions The PPARγ agonist troglitazone can inhibit the expression of ICAM-1
and MMP-9 in HeLa cells by up-regulating PPARγ.