title: Curcumin inhibits oxLDL-induced CD36 expression and foam cell formation through the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.
abstract: The uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) via scavenger receptors transforms macrophages into foam cells, which are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. OxLDL markedly increases the expression of the CD36 scavenger receptor. Here, we investigated whether curcumin modulate CD36 expression in oxLDL-treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Our results showed that curcumin dramatically inhibits CD36 expression and foam cell formation. Furthermore, oxLDL-induced expression and activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), which is involved in CD36 expression, is also blocked in curcumin-treated cells. OxLDL activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling transduction pathway, and p38 MAPK is associated with oxLDL-induced CD36 and PPAR-γ expression. Overexpression of dominant negative p38 MAPK blocks oxLDL-induced CD36 and PPAR-γ expression. Furthermore, curcumin markedly inhibits p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Taken together, our results suggest that curcumin modulates oxLDL-induced CD36 expression and foam cell formation via the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 2800 Dalgubeoldaero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu 704-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung-jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Kyung-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Taeg Kyu
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018955:CD36 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018955:CD36 Antigens; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D047495:PPAR gamma; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: CD36; Curcumin; OxLDL; PPAR-γ; p38 MAPK