Modulation of CD36 scavenger receptor expression by curcumin and vitamin E affects cellular uptake of lipids and bacteria (639.1)

The CD36/FAT scavenger receptor/fatty acid translocase mediates uptake of fatty acids into various tissues. Other CD36 ligands include oxLDL, β-amyloid, Plasmodium falciparum -infected erythrocytes, and bacteria. The ability of nutritional components to affect CD36 expression and to change the inflammatory and phagocytic response to lipids and bacteria in monocytes/macrophages could be important for modulating inflammation and atherosclerosis. Here we show that curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric plant Curcuma longa, is rapidly taken up into cells and increases surface localization of CD36 leading to increased lipid uptake in THP-1 monocytes/macrophages. The curcumin metabolite, tetrahydrocurcumin, has no effect, most likely since it is not efficiently taken up into cells. In contrast, CD36 surface localization and lipid uptake were decreased by α-tocopherol and more so by α-tocopheryl phosphate. Interestingly, phagocytosis of inactivated Staphylococcus aureus fluorescent bioparticles was affecte...