CD36, a novel receptor for oxidized low-density lipoproteins, is highly expressed on lipid-laden macrophages in human atherosclerotic aorta.

CD36 has been reported to be a receptor for oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). In our previous study, the uptake of Ox-LDL in CD36-deficient macrophages was reduced by approximately 50% compared with that in control macrophages, suggesting an important role of CD36 as a receptor for Ox-LDL in humans. In the current study, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of CD36 in human aorta in comparison with that of scavenger receptor class A type I and type II (SRA). Cryostat sections were made from aortic tissues. For immunohistochemical staining, the following antibodies were used: (1) FA6-152, anti-CD36 antibody, and (2) SRI-2, which recognizes both type I and type II SRAs. Immunohistochemical staining for CD36 and SRA was performed using labeled streptavidin method. In macrophages scattered in aortic walls without atherosclerotic lesions, the expression of CD36 was hardly observed, whereas that of SRA was detected weakly but consistently. In contrast, in atherosclerotic lesions, macrophages around the core region showed a weak immunoreactivity to CD36 and a strong immunoreactivity to SRA. Furthermore, lipid-laden macrophages, which mainly existed in the core region, had a strongly positive immunoreactivity to CD36, but a low or moderate level of immunoreactivity to SRA. The distributions of CD36 and SRA were different from each other, and especially foamed, large-sized macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques tended to more abundantly express CD36 protein. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that the expression of both CD36 and SRA might be differentially regulated in aortic walls, and might play different roles in the formation of foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions.