CD36 and scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-Bl) are both class B scaven
ger receptors that recognize a broad variety of ligands, including oxidized
low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), HDL, anionic phospholipids, and apoptotic
cells. In this study we investigated the role of mouse CD36 (mCD36) as a p
hysiological lipoprotein receptor. We compared the association of various l
ipoprotein particles with mCD36 and mSR-BI expressed in COS cells by adenov
irus-mediated gene transfer. mCD36 bound human oxLDL and mouse HDL with hig
h affinity. Human LDL bound poorly to mCD36, indicating that mCD36 is unlik
ely to play a significant role in LDL metabolism. The ability of mCD36 to m
ediate the selective uptake of cholesteryl esters (CE) from receptor-bound
HDL was assessed. In comparison with mSR-BI, mCD36 inefficiently mediated t
he selective uptake of CE. Hepatic overexpression of mCD36 in C57BL/6 mice
by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer did not result in significant alterati
ons in plasma LDL and HDL levels.ie We conclude that mCD36, while able to b
ind HDL with high affinity, does not contribute significantly to HDL or LDL
metabolism.