CD36 overexpression in human brain correlates with β-amyloid deposition but not with Alzheimerʹs disease

Scavenger receptors recently have been related to Alzheimerʹs disease, although it is still unclear whether they contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease or reflect an inflammatory response to the deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ). In this study we demonstrate that CD36, a class B scavenger receptor, is highly expressed in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimerʹs disease patients and cognitively normal aged subjects with diffuse amyloid plaques compared with age-matched amyloid-free control brains. Moreover, in vitro experiments indicated that Aβ is able to induce CD36 expression in neuronal cells after 24 h treatment. The interaction between CD36 and Aβ has been reported to trigger oxidant production by macrophages and microglia. In line with this observation, we found an increased presence of nitrated proteins in brains showing Aβ loads and CD36 overexpression, independent of the occurrence of Alzheimerʹs disease pathologic features.