Probably because of its multifaceted role at the crossroads of inflammation, metabolism and cell differentiation, PPARγ can be a double-edged sword in viral infections of neural cells: besides its role in both moderating inflammation and supporting host cell survival, it can be deleterious to neuronal differentiation of progenitors, and either inhibit or support viral replication (Figure 3). This evidence concerns the gene PPARG and viral infectious disease.