Increased CD36 Expression Signals Monocyte Activation Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

• DOI: 10.2337/dc10-0460
• Publication Date: 2010-06-16T00:13:11Z
• Authors: Yijuan Sun; Marina Scavini; Robert A. Orlando; Glen H. Murata; Karen S. Servilla; Antonios H. Tzama...; Ronald Schrader; Edward J. Bedrick; Mark R. Burge; Nada A. Abumrad; Philip G. Zager
• Keywords: CD36 Antigens; Male; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Humans; Female; Original Research; 3. Good health

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.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND 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.