Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activators were shown to inhibit the expression of E-selectin of human vascular endothelial cells in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Troglitazone, pioglitazone, alpha-clofibrate, and 15-deoxy-Delta 12,14-prostaglandin J2 all inhibited the TNF-alpha-stimulated E-selectin gene transcription in reporter assay. To further clarify the underlying transcriptional regulation, nuclear factor(s) that binds to the nuclear factor-endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (NF-ELAM1) site of the E-selectin gene promoter was investigated. The activators caused a significant induction of liver regenerating factor 1 (LRF1)/activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), which bound to the NF-ELAM1 site and repressed the TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin gene expression. From these data, the effect of PPAR activators was mediated, in part, through the induction of LRF1/ATF3. This might provide a novel molecular mechanism of antiinflammatory effect of PPAR activators.