Study about the association of the receptor CD36 and the Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor on the membrane of macrophages

• Grant number: 12/01874-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Sônia Jancar
• Grantee: Mateus Fila Pecenin
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 06/03982-5 - Molecular aspects involved in leukocytes microbicidal and inflammatory activities in the lung, AP.TEM

Abstract

Macrophages interacts with molecular patterns present in apoptotic cells and modified lipoproteins by a group of scavenger (SR) receptor which SR-A and CD36 are the most studied ones. This recognition is primordial for the maintenance of the homeostasis by eliminating dead cells and modified molecules. There are some evidences that Platelet-Activator Factor Receptor (PAFR) and CD36 share common ligands, and the activation of these receptors induces similar cellular responses. CD36 is one of the receptors involved in fagocitosis of apoptotic cells and in the uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) by macrophages. Previous works from our group have shown that both events are also dependent on the activation of PAFR, thus suggesting the interaction between those two receptors on the membrane of macrophages. Receptors interaction occurs on microdomains known as lipid rafts. Thereby, the objective of this project is to investigate whether the Platelet-Activator Factor Receptor and the CD36 are located in the same lipd raft yet or whether they migrate to this microdomain after the interaction with apoptotic cells or oxidized low density lipoprotein.