Background
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg) is a ligand activated transcription factor and member the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Several lines of evidence indicate that PPARg have protective effects in osteoarthritis (OA). Indeed, PPARg has been shown to down-regulate several inflammatory and catabolic responses in articular joint cells and to be protective in animal models of OA. We have previously shown that IL-1 down-regulated PPARg expression in OA chondrocytes. In the present study we will investigate the mechanisms underlying this effect of IL-1.