Adipocytes recognize and degrade oxidized low density lipoprotein through CD36.
CD36 expressed on adipocytes is thought to function as a fatty acid transporter (FAT). Here we report that adipocytes can endocytose and lysosomally degrade OxLDL, mainly mediated by CD36. Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed marked increase in uptake and degradation of (125)I-OxLDL during their differentiation to adipocytes. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis indicated that expression of CD36 but not of scavenger receptor class A or macrosialin is required for the increase in uptake and degradation of (125)I-OxLDL in 3T3-L1 cells. An anti-CD36 antibody inhibited both uptake and degradation activities of (125)I-OxLDL up to 60%. These results strongly suggest that adipocytes may function as phagocytes like macrophages and that CD36 plays a novel role in adipose tissues.
Kuniyasu
Akihiko
A
Department of Biofunctional Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Ohe-Honmachi, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan.
Hayashi
Shigeki
S
Nakayama
Hitoshi
H
D016475:3T3 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein