CD36 is a highly conserved, multifunctional 88,000 MW membrane protein expressed on macrophages, platelets, microvascular endothelial cells, dendritic cells, specialized epithelium of the breast and retinal, skeletal and cardiac muscle, adipocytes and some tumors (glioma,breast cancer, and others). It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by virtue of its function as a type B scavenger receptor for oxidized lipoproteins. It also serves as a cellular receptor for apoptotic cells and photoreceptor outer segments, and may thus play a role in inflammation, antigen presentation, and retinal degeneration. As a receptor for thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) it functions as an inhibitor of angiogenesis. It can also function as an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, and may mediate vascular pathology in sickle cell disease and malaria. CD36 expression is regulated by the nuclear receptor, PPAR-gamma, and functions as a binding site and possible transporter of long chain fatty acids. As such it has been proposed to play a role in cardiac energy metabolism,heart failure,insulin resistance, and perhaps obesity. This is the first available monoclonal antibody developed specifically to interact with murine CD36 and is thus suitable for study of this protein in murine and rat models.
