CD36 in atherosclerosis

Dhruba Acharya

doi:10.3126/njh.v9i1.8349

Abstract

CD36 was described nearly 30 years ago as “glycoprotein IV” the fourth major band of 88KD observed on SDS-PAGE of platelet membrane (1). It is present on many mammalian cell types: microvascular endothelium; professional phagocytes including macrophages, dendritic cells, microglia and retinal pigment-epithellium; erythroid precursors; hepatocytes; adipocytes; cardiac and skeletal myocytes; and specialized epithelia of the breast, kidney and gut (2). As a pattern recognition receptor, CD36 binds a diverse set of ligands, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)(5), anionic phospholipids (4), long-chain fatty acids, thrombospondin-1, fibrillar -amyloid, and the membrane of cells undergoing apoptosis (3, 5, 6). CD36 has been implicated in a wide variety of normal and pathologic biological functions, including angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, phagocytosis, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and removal of apoptotic cells (3, 5). In 1993, Endemann et al. first identified CD36 as a potential oxLDL receptor (7).Unlike macrophage scavenger receptor A type I and II, CD36 binds LDL that has been exposed to minimally oxidizing condition. The observation that CD36 was an oxLDL receptor was the catalyst for many to prove the role of CD36 in atherosclerosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njh.v9i1.8349 Nepalese Heart Journal Vol.9(1) 2012 pp.47-50

Highlights

Atherosclerosis is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a gradual thickening and hardening of arteries that leads to the reduction in the lumen diameter and potentially to ischemia
Podrez et al showed that CD36 can recognize LDL modified by the Myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxidenitrite system of phagocytic cell (MPO-OxLDL) which may have more physiological relevance than copper oxidized of acetylated-low density lipoprotein [10]
CD36, a class B scavenger receptor protein is known as FAT (Fatty Acid Translocase), SCARB3 (Scavenger receptor B 3), GP88 (Glycoprotein 88), GPIV (Glycoprotein IV) and GP IIIB (Glycoprotein III B).Dimerisation has been purposed to play an important role in CD36 signal transduction

Summary

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a gradual thickening and hardening of arteries that leads to the reduction in the lumen diameter and potentially to ischemia. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) when infiltration into the intima can be readily oxidized by resident macrophages or endothelial cells. Receptor mediated endocytosis of modified LDL by macrophage has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Results

Conclusion