Fig. 3: Exogenous expression of PPARγ inhibits the PMT process.

a Exogenous overexpression of PPARγ suppresses sphere formation of PN GSCs. PN GSCs were infected overnight with adenovirus expressing control vector (pAd-Dest) or PPARγ (pAd-PPARγ) followed by 10 μM pioglitazone treatment for 3 days. Sphere forming ability (upper) or quantification of sphere number (lower) is represented. Data represent the mean ± S.E.M. (n = 5). Asterisks are references as follows: ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test). b, c Gene expression for GBM biomarkers or cell cycle regulation. b mRNA expression of p21, Olig2, Bcl2a1, and CD44. c Immunoblot assay for cell cycle proteins. PN GSCs were infected overnight with adenovirus expressing control vector (pAd-Dest) or PPARγ (pAd-PPARγ), which was followed by 10 μM pioglitazone treatment for 24 h. Data represent the mean ± S.E.M. (n = 3). d Immunoblot analysis of CD44 and SOX2 in PN and MES GSCs infected with pAd-Dest control or pAd-PPARγ for 2 days. e PMT assay upon PPARγ overexpression. Expression of PN and MES markers was analyzed in PN cells infected with pAd-Dest control or pAd-PPARγ with/without TNFα treatment. PN GSCs were treated daily with 50 ng/ml TNFα for 4 days in the presence of adenovirus expressing pAd-Dest control or pAd-PPARγ. Immunoblot assay of PPARγ, CD44, and SOX2 (left) or qPCR analysis of PPARγ and multiple MES markers, CD44, PAI1, and BCL2A1. Data represent the mean ± S.E.M.