Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α expression in T cells mediates gender differences in development of T cell–mediated autoimmunity

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α is a nuclear receptor that mediates gender differences in lipid metabolism. PPARα also functions to control inflammatory responses by repressing the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and c-jun in immune cells. Because PPARα is situated at the crossroads of gender and immune regulation, we hypothesized that this gene may mediate sex differences in the development of T cell–mediated autoimmune disease. We show that PPARα is more abundant in male as compared with female CD4⁺ cells and that its expression is sensitive to androgen levels. Genetic ablation of this gene selectively removed the brake on NF-κB and c-jun activity in male T lymphocytes, resulting in higher production of interferon γ and tumor necrosis factor (but not interleukin 17), and lower production of T helper (Th)2 cytokines. Upon induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, male but not female PPARα^−/− mice developed more severe clinical signs that were restricted to the acute phase of disease. These results suggest that males are less prone to develop Th1-mediated autoimmunity because they have higher T cell expression of PPARα.