Soluble CD36− a marker of the (pathophysiological) role of CD36 in the metabolic syndrome?

Abstract

CD36 is a class B scavenger receptor observed in many cell types and tissues throughout the body. Recent literature has implicated CD36 in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysregulation such as found in obesity, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. Genetic variation at the CD36 loci have been associated with obesity and lipid components of the metabolic syndrome, with risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Recently, non-cell bound CD36 was identified in human plasma and was termed soluble CD36 (sCD36). In this review we will describe the functions of CD36 in tissues and address the role of sCD36 in the context of the metabolic syndrome. We will also highlight recent findings from human genetic studies looking at the CD36 locus in relation to metabolic profile in the general population. Finally, we present a model in which insulin resistance, oxLDL, low-grade inflammation and liver steatosis may contribute to elevated levels of sCD36.

Keywords::

• Obesity
• insulin resistance
• type 2 diabetes
• inflammation
• ox-LDL
• NAFLD

Acknowledgements

The authors are greatly indebted to Jens K. Kjær and Morten H. Nielsen for preparation of Figure 1.

Declaration of interest

DK is supported within the framework of CTMM, the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine (www.ctmm.nl), project PREDICCt (grant 01C-104), and supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation, Dutch Diabetes Research Foundation and Dutch Kidney Foundation. MKJ is supported by a stipend from the Villum Kan Rasmussen Foundation. AH is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Danish Diabetes Foundation, the Danish Heart Association, the Danish Research Council and Juelsgaards Mindefond.