Human platelets exclusively bind oxidized low density lipoprotein showing no specificity for acetylated low density lipoprotein

The widely studied macrophage scavenger receptor system is known to bind bo th acetylated low density lipoprotein and oxidized low density lipoprotein. Although only the latter ligand has been shown to occur in vivo, acetylate d low density lipoprotein is often used to evaluate the contribution of sca venger receptors to different (patho)physiologic processes, assuming that a ll existing subtypes of scavenger receptors recognise both lipoproteins. In the present work, we identify human platelets as the first natural cell ty pe to bind oxidized low density lipoprotein without showing specificity for acetylated low density Lipoprotein. Consequently, platelets possess exclus ive receptor(s) for oxidized low density lipoprotein distinct from the 'cla ssical' scavenger receptor AI/AII, From the data presented in this work, we conclude that the class B scavenger receptor CD36(GPIV) is responsible for this exclusive oxidized low density lipoprotein binding. (C) 1999 Federati on of European Biochemical Societies.