Increased CD36 expression signals monocyte activation among patients with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the hypothesis that CD36, a scavenger receptor and fatty acid translocase, is upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) among patients with type 2 diabetes and is a biomarker of PBMC activation and inflammation.


METHODS
We used a cross-sectional observational design to study a multi-racial/ethnic population sample consisting of Caucasians, Hispanics, and Native Americans with type 2 diabetes (n = 33) and nondiabetic control subjects (n = 27). PBMC CD36 mRNA/protein and plasma high sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (hsCRP), hs-interleukin-6 (hsIL-6), and adiponectin were measured.


RESULTS
Unadjusted PBMC CD36 mRNA and protein were 1.56- and 1.63-fold higher, respectively, among type 2 diabetic subjects versus control subjects. PBMC CD36 protein was directly associated with CD36 mRNA, plasma hsCRP, and hsIL-6 and inversely associated with plasma adiponectin in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased CD36 expression is a biomarker of PBMC activation and inflammation and may become a useful tool in cardiovascular disease risk stratification.
Sun
Yijuan
Y
Department of Medicine, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
Scavini
Marina
M
Orlando
Robert A
RA
Murata
Glen H
GH
Servilla
Karen S
KS
Tzamaloukas
Antonios H
AH
Schrader
Ronald
R
Bedrick
Edward J
EJ
Burge
Mark R
MR
Abumrad
Nada A
NA
Zager
Philip G
PG
D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
D018955:CD36 Antigens