| Scientific Background: | CD36 binds to collagen, thrombospondin, anionic phospholipids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). It also may function as a cell adhesion molecule. It directly mediates cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized erythrocytes. It also binds long chain fatty acids and may function in the transport and/or as a regulator of fatty acid transport. It also serves as a receptor for thombospondins, THBS1 AND THBS2, mediating their antiangiogenic effects. As a co-receptor for TLR4-TLR6 heterodimer, it promotes inflammation in monocytes/macrophages. Upon ligand binding, such as oxLDL or amyloid-beta 42, it rapidly induces the formation of a heterodimer of TLR4 and TLR6, which is internalized and triggers inflammatory response, leading to NF-κ-B-dependent production of CXCL1, CXCL2 and CCL9 cytokines, via MyD88 signaling pathway, and CCL5 cytokine, via TICAM1 signaling pathway, as well as IL-1B secretion. |
