Vascular biology of CD36: roles of this new adhesion molecule family in different disease states.

The human CD36 antigen is a scavenger receptor and a celladhesion molecule expressed by platelets, monocytes and microvascular endothelial cells, among other cell types. It belongs to a new and growing family of integral membrane glycoproteins that recognize a wide range of ligands. CD36 has been implicated in hemostasis, thrombosis, malaria, inflammation, lipid metabolism and atherogenesis. Recently, significant advances in CD36 biology have been reported and new CD36-like proteins have been identified.