Cd36, also known as scavenger receptor B2, is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein. It plays a crucial role in the uptake of long-chain fatty acids, serving as a key regulator in cellular lipid metabolism, especially in myocardial tissue [1,2,5,7]. It is also involved in immunological recognition, inflammation, molecular adhesion, and apoptosis [3]. Post-translational modifications like phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and palmitoylation regulate its maturation and transportation [1]. Cd36 is associated with pathways related to lipid metabolism and energy reprogramming, and is important in biological processes such as fat sensing, transport, and in the development of various diseases [2]. Genetic models, such as KO mouse models, are valuable for studying its functions.

Deficiency of Cd36 alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy and atherosclerosis [1]. In the context of chronic kidney disease, antagonist blockade or genetic knockout of Cd36 prevents kidney injury, suggesting its role in renal pathophysiology and potential as a therapeutic target [4]. In cancer, while Cd36 has been reported to both promote and inhibit cancer progression, its role in lipid metabolic reprogramming in tumor-associated immune cells and its influence on tumor immune tolerance and development have been studied [3,6].

In conclusion, Cd36 is a vital regulator of lipid metabolism and is involved in multiple biological processes. Model-based research, especially using Cd36 KO mouse models, has revealed its significance in diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and cancer, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies targeting Cd36 in these disease areas.

References:

1. Shu, Hongyang, Peng, Yizhong, Hang, Weijian, Zhou, Ning, Wang, Dao Wen. . The role of CD36 in cardiovascular disease. In Cardiovascular research, 118, 115-129. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvaa319. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33210138/

2. Li, Yunxia, Huang, Xingguo, Yang, Guan, Brecchia, Gabriele, Yin, Jie. 2022. CD36 favours fat sensing and transport to govern lipid metabolism. In Progress in lipid research, 88, 101193. doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101193. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36055468/

3. Wang, Jingchun, Li, Yongsheng. 2019. CD36 tango in cancer: signaling pathways and functions. In Theranostics, 9, 4893-4908. doi:10.7150/thno.36037. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31410189/

4. Yang, Xiaochun, Okamura, Daryl M, Lu, Xifeng, Varghese, Zac, Ruan, Xiong Z. 2017. CD36 in chronic kidney disease: novel insights and therapeutic opportunities. In Nature reviews. Nephrology, 13, 769-781. doi:10.1038/nrneph.2017.126. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28919632/

5. Pepino, Marta Yanina, Kuda, Ondrej, Samovski, Dmitri, Abumrad, Nada A. 2014. Structure-function of CD36 and importance of fatty acid signal transduction in fat metabolism. In Annual review of nutrition, 34, 281-303. doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-071812-161220. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24850384/

6. Jiang, Muwei, Karsenberg, Renske, Bianchi, Frans, van den Bogaart, Geert. 2023. CD36 as a double-edged sword in cancer. In Immunology letters, 265, 7-15. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2023.12.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38122906/

7. Glatz, Jan F C, Heather, Lisa C, Luiken, Joost J F P. 2023. CD36 as a gatekeeper of myocardial lipid metabolism and therapeutic target for metabolic disease. In Physiological reviews, 104, 727-764. doi:10.1152/physrev.00011.2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37882731/