Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonists modulate CXCL9 and CXCL11 chemokines in Graves’ ophthalmopathy fibroblasts and preadipocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)α have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects in autoimmune disorders; no study evaluated the effect of PPARα activation in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). We show the presence of PPARα, δ and γ in GO fibroblasts and preadipocytes. PPARα activators have a potent inhibitory action on the secretion of CXCL9 and CXCL11 chemokines (induced by IFNγ and TNFα) in fibroblasts and preadipocytes. The potency of the used PPARα agonists was maximum on the secretion of CXCL11 (67% inhibition by fenofibrate) in fibroblasts. The relative potency of the compounds in GO fibroblasts was different with each chemokine. PPARα agonists were stronger inhibitors of CXCL9 and CXCL11 (in GO fibroblasts and preadipocytes) than PPARγ activators. This study first shows that PPARα activators inhibit CXCL9 and CXCL11 chemokines in normal and GO fibroblasts and preadipocytes, suggesting that PPARα may be involved in the modulation of the immune response in GO.