[Overexpression of PPARγ induces adipogenic steatosis in mouse primary hepatocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of PPARγ overexpression on steatosis in mouse primary hepatocytes. METHODS: Primary hepatocytes isolated from C57BL/6J mice were infected with either Ad/LacZ or Ad/PPARγ for 48 h. Steatosis of the primary hepatocytes was checked by Oil Red O staining. The mRNA and protein expression of adipocyte-specific genes PPARγ, aP2 and CideA were analyzed by using RT Real-time PCR and Western Blot. RESULTS: Primary hepatocytes were small and even. Hepatocyte nuclei were round with dispersed chromatin and prominent nucleoli. Accumulated lipid droplets were observed in Ad/PPARγ-infected hepatocytes, but in Ad/LacZ-infected hepatocytes. Moreover, compared with Ad/LacZ-infected hepatocytes, the mRNA expression of PPARγ, aP2, FGF21 and CideA in Ad/PPARγ-infected hepatocytes were significantly induced, the protein expression of PPARγ and its target aP2 strongly increased. CONCLUSION: over expression of PPARγ induces adipogenic steatosis in mouse primary hepatocytes.