Cluster Of Differentiation 36 Research Articles

Therapeutic Vaccine Against S100A9 (S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A9) Inhibits Thrombosis Without Increasing the Risk of Bleeding in Ischemic Stroke in Mice.

Decreased adherence to daily ingestion of antiplatelet drugs is a critical issue, increasing mortality and morbidity in poststroke patients. As vaccination could be a promising approach to solving this, we designed an antiplatelet vaccine that inhibited S100A9 (S100 calcium-binding protein A9)/CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) signaling in platelets, which was reported to be a key signal in arterial thrombosis, but not hemostasis. Immunization with this vaccine induced a sustainable increase in the anti-S100A9 antibody titer for >2 months and an additional booster immunization enhanced the antibody production further. The middle cerebral artery occlusion time was successfully prolonged in the vaccinated mice, which was comparable to that in mice treated with clopidogrel. The antithrombotic effect lasted for 84 days after the last vaccination, as well as after the booster immunization. Importantly, the bleeding time was not affected in the immunized mice. The antithrombotic effect was also observed in the common carotid artery, which was similar to that found in CD36-/- mice. Vascular injury increased the expression of S100A9 in the serum and phosphorylation of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and VAV1 in the platelets, but these increases were inhibited in the immunized mice. Moreover, the S100A9 vaccine did not induce cell-mediated autoimmunity, as demonstrated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. Thus, immunization with the S100A9 vaccine resulted in long-term inhibition of thrombus formation through inhibition of increased S100A9/CD36 signaling without risk of bleeding or adverse autoimmune responses. Vaccination against S100A9 might be a novel therapy to prevent recurrent ischemic stroke.

The Effect of Hypoxia and Metformin on Fatty Acid Uptake, Storage, and Oxidation in L6 Differentiated Myotubes.

Metabolic impairments associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) are linked to tissue hypoxia, however, the explanatory molecular and endocrine mechanisms remain unknown. Using gas-permeable cultureware, we studied the chronic effects of mild and severe hypoxia on free fatty acid (FFA) uptake, storage, and oxidation in L6 myotubes under 20, 4, or 1% O2. Additionally, the impact of metformin and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ agonist, called GW501516, were investigated. Exposure to mild and severe hypoxia reduced FFA uptake by 37 and 32%, respectively, while metformin treatment increased FFA uptake by 39% under mild hypoxia. GW501516 reduced FFA uptake under all conditions. Protein expressions of CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) and SCL27A4 (solute carrier family 27 fatty acid transporter, member 4) were reduced by 17 and 23% under severe hypoxia. Gene expression of UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) was reduced by severe hypoxia by 81%. Metformin increased CD36 protein levels by 28% under control conditions and SCL27A4 levels by 56% under mild hypoxia. Intracellular lipids were reduced by mild hypoxia by 18%, while in controls only, metformin administration further reduced intracellular lipids (20% O2) by 36%. Finally, palmitate oxidation was reduced by severe hypoxia, while metformin treatment reduced non-mitochondrial O2 consumption, palmitate oxidation, and proton leak at all O2 levels. Hypoxia directly reduced FFA uptake and intracellular lipids uptake in myotubes, at least partially, due to the reduction in CD36 transporters. Metformin, but not GW501516, can increase FFA uptake and SCL27A4 expression under mild hypoxia. Described effects might contribute to elevated plasma FFA levels and metabolic derangements in OSA.

Selective EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) Deletion in Myeloid Cells Limits Atherosclerosis-Brief Report.

To determine the consequences of specific inhibition of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) in myeloid cells in atherosclerosis development. Atherosclerotic lesion size was significantly reduced in irradiated Ldlr-/- mice reconstituted with LysMCre+Egfrlox/lox bone marrow, compared with chimeric Ldlr-/- mice reconstituted with LysMCre-Egfrlox/lox bone marrow, after 4 (-43%; P<0.05), 7 (-34%; P<0.05), and 12 weeks (-54%; P<0.001) of high-fat diet. Reduction of lesion size was associated with marked reduction in macrophage accumulation and necrotic core size. Specific deletion of Egfr in myeloid cells reduced TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL (interleukin)-6 production by stimulated macrophages but had no effect on IL-10 and IL-12p70 secretion. Finally, we found that myeloid deletion of Egfr limited cytoskeletal rearrangements and also lipid uptake by macrophages through a downregulation of the scavenger receptor CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36). Gene deletion of Egfr in myeloid cells limits IL-6 and TNF-α production, lipid uptake, and consecutively reduces atherosclerosis development.

Proatherogenic Flow Increases Endothelial Stiffness via Enhanced CD36-Mediated Uptake of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins.

Disturbed flow (DF) is well-known to induce endothelial dysfunction and synergistically with plasma dyslipidemia facilitate plaque formation. Little is known, however, about the synergistic impact of DF and dyslipidemia on endothelial biomechanics. Our goal was to determine the impact of DF on endothelial stiffness and evaluate the role of dyslipidemia/oxLDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) in this process. Endothelial elastic modulus of intact mouse aortas ex vivo and of human aortic endothelial cells exposed to laminar flow or DF was measured using atomic force microscopy. Endothelial monolayer of the aortic arch is found to be significantly stiffer than the descending aorta (4.2+1.1 versus 2.5+0.2 kPa for aortic arch versus descending aorta) in mice maintained on low-fat diet. This effect is significantly exacerbated by short-term high-fat diet (8.7+2.5 versus 4.5+1.2 kPa for aortic arch versus descending aorta). Exposure of human aortic endothelial cells to DF in vitro resulted in 50% increase in oxLDL uptake and significant endothelial stiffening in the presence but not in the absence of oxLDL. DF also increased the expression of oxLDL receptor CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), whereas downregulation of CD36 abrogated DF-induced endothelial oxLDL uptake and stiffening. Furthermore, genetic deficiency of CD36 abrogated endothelial stiffening in the aortic arch in vivo in mice fed either low-fat diet or high-fat diet. We also show that the loss of endothelial stiffening in CD36 knockout aortas is not mediated by the loss of CD36 in circulating cells. DF facilitates endothelial CD36-dependent uptake of oxidized lipids resulting in local increase of endothelial stiffness in proatherogenic areas of the aorta.

PDK4 Inhibits Cardiac Pyruvate Oxidation in Late Pregnancy.

Pregnancy profoundly alters maternal physiology. The heart hypertrophies during pregnancy, but its metabolic adaptations, are not well understood. To determine the mechanisms underlying cardiac substrate use during pregnancy. We use here 13C glucose, 13C lactate, and 13C fatty acid tracing analyses to show that hearts in late pregnant mice increase fatty acid uptake and oxidation into the tricarboxylic acid cycle, while reducing glucose and lactate oxidation. Mitochondrial quantity, morphology, and function do not seem altered. Insulin signaling seems intact, and the abundance and localization of the major fatty acid and glucose transporters, CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) and GLUT4 (glucose transporter type 4), are also unchanged. Rather, we find that the pregnancy hormone progesterone induces PDK4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4) in cardiomyocytes and that elevated PDK4 levels in late pregnancy lead to inhibition of PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase) and pyruvate flux into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Blocking PDK4 reverses the metabolic changes seen in hearts in late pregnancy. Taken together, these data indicate that the hormonal environment of late pregnancy promotes metabolic remodeling in the heart at the level of PDH, rather than at the level of insulin signaling.

Brain Perivascular Macrophages Initiate the Neurovascular Dysfunction of Alzheimer Aβ Peptides.

Increasing evidence indicates that alterations of the cerebral microcirculation may play a role in Alzheimer disease, the leading cause of late-life dementia. The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), a key pathogenic factor in Alzheimer disease, induces profound alterations in neurovascular regulation through the innate immunity receptor CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), which, in turn, activates a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase, leading to cerebrovascular oxidative stress. Brain perivascular macrophages (PVM) located in the perivascular space, a major site of brain Aβ collection and clearance, are juxtaposed to the wall of intracerebral resistance vessels and are a powerful source of reactive oxygen species. We tested the hypothesis that PVM are the main source of reactive oxygen species responsible for the cerebrovascular actions of Aβ and that CD36 and Nox2 in PVM are the molecular substrates of the effect. Selective depletion of PVM using intracerebroventricular injection of clodronate abrogates the reactive oxygen species production and cerebrovascular dysfunction induced by Aβ applied directly to the cerebral cortex, administered intravascularly, or overproduced in the brain of transgenic mice expressing mutated forms of the amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576 mice). In addition, using bone marrow chimeras, we demonstrate that PVM are the cells expressing CD36 and Nox2 responsible for the dysfunction. Thus, deletion of CD36 or Nox2 from PVM abrogates the deleterious vascular effects of Aβ, whereas wild-type PVM reconstitute the vascular dysfunction in CD36-null mice. The data identify PVM as a previously unrecognized effector of the damaging neurovascular actions of Aβ and unveil a new mechanism by which brain-resident innate immune cells and their receptors may contribute to the pathobiology of Alzheimer disease.

Tetramethylpyrazine suppresses lipid accumulation in macrophages via upregulation of the ATP-binding cassette transporters and downregulation of scavenger receptors.

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a biologically active ingredient first extracted from the Chinese medicinal plant Ligusticum wallichii Franchat., has athero-protective activity, yet the particular mechanisms have not been completely explored. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of TMP and its possible mechanisms in RAW264.7 macrophages and apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. TMP treatment markedly increased the cholesterol efflux and inhibited oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake, thus, ameliorating lipid accumulation in macrophages. In addition, TMP significantly increased the protein and mRNA expression of ATP-binding cassette transportersA1 (ABCA1) andG1 (ABCG1), while suppressing the protein and mRNA expression of classA scavenger receptor (SR-A) and the cluster of differentiation36 (CD36). Moreover, the effects of TMP on the upregulation of the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1, the downregulation of the expression of CD36 and SR-A, the increase of cholesterol efflux and the decrease of lipid accumulation as well as the uptake of ox-LDL were mediated by the inactivation of PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, TMP upregulated the protein stability of ABCA1 without affecting ABCG1. Accordingly, TMP regulated the expression of SR-A, CD36, ABCA1 and ABCG1 in aortas of ApoE-/- mice, which resembled the findings observed in macrophages. TMP was also capable of delaying the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. These findings revealed that TMP downregulates scavenger receptors and upregulates ATP-binding cassette transporters via PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling, thus suppressing lipid accumulation in macrophages.

Genetics of fat intake in the determination of body mass.

Body mass and fat intake are multifactorial traits that have genetic and environmental components. The gene with the greatest effect on body mass is FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated), but several studies have shown that the effect of FTO (and of other genes) on body mass can be modified by the intake of nutrients. The so-called gene-environment interactions may also be important for the effectiveness of weight-loss strategies. Food choices, and thus fat intake, depend to some extent on individual preferences. The most important biological component of food preference is taste, and the role of fat sensitivity in fat intake has recently been pointed out. Relatively few studies have analysed the genetic components of fat intake or fatty acid sensitivity in terms of their relation to obesity. It has been proposed that decreased oral fatty acid sensitivity leads to increased fat intake and thus increased body mass. One of the genes that affect fatty acid sensitivity is CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36). However, little is known so far about the genetic component of fat sensing. We performed a literature review to identify the state of knowledge regarding the genetics of fat intake and its relation to body-mass determination, and to identify the priorities for further investigations.

Duodenal fatty acid sensor and transporter expression following acute fat exposure in healthy lean humans

Free fatty acids (FFAs) and their derivatives are detected by G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs) on enteroendocrine cells, with specific transporters on enterocytes. It is unknown whether acute fat exposure affects FFA sensors/transporters, and whether this relates to hormone secretion and habitual fat intake. We studied 20 healthy participants (10M, 10F; BMI: 22±1kg/m2; age: 28±2 years), after an overnight fast, on 2 separate days. On the first day, duodenal biopsies were collected endoscopically before, and after, a 30-min intraduodenal (ID) infusion of 10% Intralipid®, and relative transcript expression of FFA receptor 1 (FFAR1), FFA receptor 4 (FFAR4), GPR119 and the FFA transporter, cluster of differentiation-36 (CD36) was quantified from biopsies. On the second day, ID Intralipid® was infused for 120-min, and plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) evaluated. Habitual dietary intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). ID Intralipid® increased expression of GPR119, but not FFAR1, FFAR4 and CD36, and stimulated CCK and GLP-1 secretion. Habitual polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption was negatively associated with basal GPR119 expression. GPR119 is an early transcriptional responder to duodenal lipid in lean humans, although this response appeared reduced in individuals with high PUFA intake. These observations may have implications for downstream regulation of gut hormone secretion and appetite. This study was registered as a clinical trial with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (Trial number: ACTRN12612000376842).

Oral Fat Sensing and CD36 Gene Polymorphism in Algerian Lean and Obese Teenagers.

Growing number of evidences have suggested that oral fat sensing, mediated by a glycoprotein CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), plays a significant role in the development of obesity. Indeed, a decreased expression of CD36 in some obese subjects is associated with high dietary fat intake. In the present study, we examined whether an increase in body mass index (BMI) is associated with altered oleic acid lingual detection thresholds and blood lipid profile in young Algerian teenagers (n = 165). The obese teenagers (n = 83; 14.01 ± 0.19 years; BMI z-score 2.67 ± 0.29) exhibited higher lingual detection threshold for oleic acid than lean participants (n = 82, 13.92 ± 0.23 years; BMI z-score 0.03 ± 0.0001). We also studied the association between rs1761667 polymorphism of CD36 gene and obesity. The AA and AG genotypes were more frequent in obese teenagers, whereas GG genotype was more common in lean participants. The A-allele frequency was higher in obese teenagers than that in lean children. We report that rs1761667 polymorphism of CD36 gene and oro-gustatory thresholds for fat might play a significant role in the development of obesity in young teenagers.

AMPKα is critical for enhancing skeletal muscle fatty acid utilization during in vivo exercise in mice.

The importance of AMPK in regulation of fatty acid (FA) oxidation in skeletal muscle with contraction/exercise is unresolved. Using a mouse model lacking both AMPKα1 and -α2 in skeletal muscle specifically (mdKO), we hypothesized that FA utilization would be impaired in skeletal muscle. AMPKα mdKO mice displayed normal respiratory exchange ratio (RER) when fed chow or a high-fat diet, or with prolonged fasting. However, in vivo treadmill exercise at the same relative intensity induced a higher RER in AMPKα mdKO mice compared to wild-type (WT = 0.81 ± 0.01 (sem); mdKO = 0.87 ± 0.02 (sem); P < 0.01), indicating a decreased utilization of FA. Further, ex vivo contraction-induced FA oxidation was impaired in AMPKα mdKO muscle, suggesting that the increased RER during exercise originated from decreased skeletal muscle FA oxidation. A decreased muscle protein expression of CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) and FABPpm (plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein) (by ∼17-40%), together with fully abolished TBC1D1 (tre-2/USP6, BUB2, cdc16 domain family member 1) Ser(237) phosphorylation during contraction/exercise in AMPKα mdKO mice, may impair FA transport capacity and FA transport protein translocation to sarcolemma, respectively. AMPKα is thus required for normal FA metabolism during exercise and muscle contraction.

Combined therapy with thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) and chemotherapy induces regression and significantly improves survival in a preclinical model of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

Most women are diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) at advanced stage, where therapies have limited effectiveness and the long-term survival rate is low. We evaluated the effects of combined antiangiogenic and chemotherapy treatments on advanced stage EOC. Treatment of EOC cells with a recombinant version of the thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) induced more apoptotic cell death (36.5 ± 9.6%) in vitro compared to untreated controls (4.1 ± 1.4). In vivo, tumors were induced in an orthotopic, syngeneic mouse model of advanced stage EOC. Mice were treated with 3TSR (4 mg/kg per day) alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs delivered with maximum tolerated dose or metronomic scheduling. Pretreatment with 3TSR induced tumor regression, normalized tumor vasculature, and improved uptake of chemotherapy drugs. Combination 3TSR and metronomic chemotherapy induced the greatest tumor regression (6.2-fold reduction in size compared to PBS-treated controls) and highest survival when treatment was initiated at advanced stage. 3TSR binding to its receptor, CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), increased binding of CD36 and SHP-1, which significantly inhibited phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor. In this study, we describe a novel treatment approach and mechanism of action with 3TSR and chemotherapy that induces regression of advanced stage EOC and significantly improves survival.-Russell, S., Duquette, M., Liu, J., Drapkin, R., Lawler, J., Petrik, J. Combined therapy with thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) and chemotherapy induces regression and significantly improves survival in a preclinical model of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

Structure-function of CD36 and importance of fatty acid signal transduction in fat metabolism.

CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) is a scavenger receptor that functions in high-affinity tissue uptake of long-chain fatty acids (FAs) and contributes under excessive fat supply to lipid accumulation and metabolic dysfunction. This review describes recent evidence regarding the CD36 FA binding site and a potential mechanism for FA transfer. It also presents the view that CD36 and FA signaling coordinate fat utilization, a view that is based on newly identified CD36 actions that involve oral fat perception, intestinal fat absorption, secretion of the peptides cholecystokinin and secretin, regulation of hepatic lipoprotein output, activation of beta oxidation by muscle, and regulation of the production of the FA-derived bioactive eicosanoids. Thus abnormalities of fat metabolism and the associated pathology might involve dysfunction of CD36-mediated signal transduction in addition to the changes in FA uptake.

Hemoglobin a1c induced down-regulation of CD36 ofPlasmodium falciparumparasitized red cell

ObjectiveHigh values of glycosylated hemoglobin have been found to correlate with decreased deformability of erythrocyte. CD36 (Cluster of Differentiation 36) is an integral membrane protein found on the surface of many cell types of class B scavenger receptor family. <italic>Plasmodium falciparum</italic> and diabetes mellitus is associated many complications. Aim of this study to investigate the down-regulation of HbA1c to CD36 on <italic>P. falciparum</italic> parasitized red blood cells Diabetes mellitus patients.MethodsThis is cross section study conducted among diabetic patients attending in Jabir Abo Eleiz diabetic center in Khartoum state. Venous blood samples were collected in heparin containers for <italic>Plasmodium falciparum</italic> culture, and random blood sugar. For HbA1c in 0.04 mg EDTA anticoagulant, 2–5 ml of blood was collected. Sample size was 45 samples and was collected from known diabetic patients with HbA1c more than 8%. All data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).ResultsShow the mean difference between CD36 negative control and CD36 positive control was found to be statistically significant increasing of CD36 presence at P. value =0.001 (P ≤0.001). The mean difference between CD36 positive control and diabetic patients with HbA1C more 8% was found to be statistically significant reduction of CD36 expression at p=0.001.Hyperglycemia (HbA1c) leads to decrease of CD36 expression and interfere with innate and active immunity. In this study HbA1c participates in increasing of <italic>P. falciparum</italic> malaria complications.

Role of fatty acid transport protein 4 in oleic acid-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion from murine intestinal L cells

The antidiabetic intestinal L cell hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibits gastric emptying. GLP-1 secretion is stimulated by luminal oleic acid (OA), which crosses the cell membrane by an unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that L cell fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) are essential for OA-induced GLP-1 release. Therefore, the murine GLUTag L cell model was used for immunoblotting, [(3)H]OA uptake assay, and GLP-1 secretion assay as determined by radioimmunoassay following treatment with OA ± phloretin, sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate, or siRNA against FATP4. FATP4(-/-) and cluster-of-differentiation 36 (CD36)(-/-) mice received intraileal OA, and plasma GLP-1 was measured by sandwich immunoassay. GLUTag cells were found to express CD36, FATP1, FATP3, and FATP4. The cells demonstrated specific (3)H[OA] uptake that was dose-dependently inhibited by 500 and 1,000 μM unlabeled OA (P < 0.001). Cell viability was not altered by treatment with OA. Phloretin and sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate, inhibitors of protein-mediated transport and CD36, respectively, also decreased [(3)H]OA uptake, as did knockdown of FATP4 by siRNA transfection (P < 0.05-0.001). OA dose-dependently increased GLP-1 secretion at 500 and 1,000 μM (P < 0.001), whereas phloretin, sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate, and FATP4 knockdown decreased this response (P < 0.05-0.01). FATP4(-/-) mice displayed lower plasma GLP-1 at 60 min in response to intraileal OA (P < 0.05), whereas, unexpectedly, CD36(-/-) mice displayed higher basal GLP-1 levels (P < 0.01) but a normal response to intraileal OA. Together, these findings demonstrate a key role for FATP4 in OA-induced GLP-1 secretion from the murine L cell in vitro and in vivo, whereas the precise role of CD36 remains unclear.

Critical Role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-δ on Body Fat Reduction in C57BL/6J and Human Apolipoprotein E2 Transgenic Mice Fed Delipidated Soybean

The consumption of soy protein and fiber reduces body fat accumulation; however, the mechanism of this effect has not been clearly understood. We investigated the antiobesogenic effect of soy protein and fiber in two different mouse models. Normolipidemic nonobese C57BL/6J and hyperlipidemic obese human apolipoprotein E2 transgenic mice were fed either delipidated soybean (DLSB) containing soy protein and fiber or a control diet. The DLSB-fed mice showed a significant reduction in body weight gain and adiposity compared with controls, in both C57BL/6J and apoE2 mice. All metabolic parameters were significantly improved in the DLSB group compared with controls: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and leptin levels were significantly reduced. Adiponectin concentrations were significantly elevated, and glucose tolerance was improved. In both types of DLSB-fed mice, the specific induction of PPAR-δ protein expression was evident in muscle and adipose tissues. The expression of PPAR-δ target genes in the DLSB-fed mice was also significantly altered. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 and fatty acid synthase levels in adipose tissue were downregulated, and uncoupling protein-2 in muscle was upregulated. Intestinal expression of fatty acid transport protein-4, cluster of differentiation-36, and acyl-CoA synthetase were significantly downregulated. We propose that marked activation of PPAR-δ is the primary mechanism mediating the antiobesogenic effect of soybean and that PPAR-δ has multiple actions: induction of thermogenesis in muscle, reduction of fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue, and reduction of fatty acid uptake in intestinal tissue.

Polymorphisms in the CD36/FAT gene are associated with plasma vitamin E concentrations in humans

Blood vitamin E concentrations are modulated by dietary, metabolic, and genetic factors. CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), a class B scavenger receptor, might be involved in tissue vitamin E uptake and thus would influence blood vitamin E concentrations. The goal of the study was to assess the association between CD36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and plasma α-tocopherol concentrations in humans. A subsample from the adult SU.VI.MAX (SUpplementation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants) cohort (n = 621) and the adolescent cross-sectional HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study (n = 993) were genotyped for CD36 SNPs (4 and 10 SNPs, respectively). Fasting plasma α-tocopherol concentrations were assayed by using HPLC. Associations were determined by haplotype analyses and by general linear regression models. In the SU.VI.MAX subsample, haplotype analyses showed that some haplotypes of SNPs rs1984112, rs1527479, rs7755, and rs1527483 tended to be associated with plasma α-tocopherol concentrations (P = 0.08 and P = 0.09 for haplotypes 1222 and 1122, respectively). We then investigated the whole known common genetic variability (10 SNPs) of CD36 in the HELENA Study. Three SNPs were associated with lower plasma α-tocopherol concentrations (rs1984112: -3.2%, P = 0.053; rs1761667: -2.9%, P = 0.046; rs1527479: -3.7%, P = 0.0061). After correction for multiple testing, the association between rs1527479 and α-tocopherol concentrations remained significant. This association was modulated by concentrations of fasting serum triglycerides (P for interaction = 0.006) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (P for interaction = 0.005). Our results suggest that CD36 can modulate blood α-tocopherol concentrations and may therefore be involved in the intestinal absorption or tissue uptake of vitamin E.

Expression of caveolin‐1 in hepatic cells increases oxidized LDL uptake and preserves the expression of lipoprotein receptors

Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) that are positively associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases are ligands of scavenger receptor-class B type I (SR-BI) and cluster of differentiation-36 (CD36) which can be found in caveolae. The contribution of these receptors in human hepatic cell is however unknown. The HepG2 cell, a human hepatic parenchymal cell model, expresses these receptors and is characterized by a very low level of caveolin-1. Our aim was to define the contribution of human CD36, SR-BI, and caveolin-1 in the metabolism of OxLDL in HepG2 cells and conversely the effects of OxLDL on the levels/localization of these receptors. By comparing mildly (M)- and heavily (H)-OxLDL metabolism between control HepG2 cells and HepG2 cells overexpressing CD36, SR-BI, or caveolin-1, we found that (1) CD36 increases M- and H-OxLDL-protein uptake; (2) SR-BI drives M-OxLDL through a degradation pathway at the expense of the cholesterol ester (CE) selective uptake pathway; (3) caveolin-1 increases M- and H-OxLDL-protein uptake and decreases CE selective uptake from M-OxLDL. Also, incubation with M- or H-OxLDL decreases the levels of SR-BI and LDL-receptor in control HepG2 cells which can be overcome by caveolin-1 expression. In addition, OxLDL move CD36 from low to high buoyant density membrane fractions, as well as caveolin-1 in cells overexpressing this protein. Thus, hepatic caveolin-1 expression has significant effects on OxLDL metabolism and on lipoprotein receptor levels.

Mouse CD36 Has Opposite Effects on LDL and Oxidized LDL Metabolism In Vivo

The cluster of differentiation-36 (CD36) is a multifunctional protein which is recognized for its in vitro ability to take up oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) in macrophages and is therefore considered atherogenic. It also binds LDL. Our objective was to define the physiological role of CD36 in both native LDL and oxLDL metabolism in mice. Clearance studies of labeled LDL and oxLDL were conducted in wild-type, CD36 knockout (KO), scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) KO, and SR-BI/CD36 double KO mice. We found that CD36 impedes the disappearance of native LDL and favors that of oxLDL. This was confirmed by association and degradation assays with primary cultures of hepatic cells from wild-type and CD36 KO mice. In addition, our in vivo work indicates that neither SR-BI nor CD36 plays a significant role in cholesteryl esters (CE) selective uptake (SU) from oxLDL, whereas CD36, in absence of SR-BI, can selectively take CE from LDL. Our investigation showed for the first time that CD36 plays a significant role in oxLDL uptake in vivo in the mouse. As CD36 also retards LDL clearance, its atherogenic character may also relate to its negative effect on LDL catabolism.

Opposite effect of caveolin-1 in the metabolism of high-density and low-density lipoproteins

Receptors of the scavenger class B family were reported to be localized in caveolae, the cell surface microdomains rich in free cholesterol and glycosphyngolipids, which are characterized by the presence of caveolin-1. Parenchymal hepatic and hepatoma HepG2 cells express very low levels of caveolin-1. In the present study, stable transformants of HepG2 cells expressing caveolin-1 were generated to address the effect of caveolin-1 on receptor activity. Compared to normal cells, these cells show higher 125I-bovine serum albumin (BSA) uptake and cholesterol efflux, two indicators of functional caveolae. By immunoprecipitation, cell fractionation and confocal analyses, we found that caveolin-1 is well colocalized with the cluster of differentiation-36 (CD36) and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLr) but to a lesser extent with the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in HepG2 cells expressing caveolin-1. However, caveolin-1 expression favors the dimerization of SR-BI. Two clones of cells expressing caveolin-1 were investigated for their lipoprotein metabolism activity. Compared to normal cells, these cells show a 71–144% increase in 125I-LDL degradation. The analysis of the cholesteryl esters (CE)-selective uptake (CE association minus protein association) revealed that the expression of caveolin-1 in HepG2 cells decreases by 59%–73% LDL-CE selective uptake and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CE selective uptake by 44%–66%. We conclude that the expression of caveolin-1 in HepG2 cells moves the balance of LDL degradation/CE selective uptake towards degradation and favors HDL-CE selective uptake. Thus, in the normal hepatic parenchymal situation where caveolin-1 is poorly expressed, LDL-CE selective uptake is the preferred pathway.