Pparg drives luminal differentiation and luminal tumor formation in the urothelium

We find that Pparg is a master regulator of cell specification during urothelial homeostasis, driving a luminal differentiation program via retinoid signaling. Interestingly, expression of activated Pparg in basal cells only drives tumor formation when they are in an activated state, that are in an activated state, induces formation of luminal tumors with papillary morphology, Expression of an activated form of Pparg induces basal cells at homeostasis, to differentiate directly into luminal cells. In a BBN mouse model which produces basal subtypes tumors in wild type animals, activated Pparg drives formation of luminal tumors, suggesting that this transcription factor is a master regulator of luminal differentiation, as has been suggested from in vitro studies. mRNA profiles of WT and K5VP16;Pparg mutant urothelial cells