Absence of CD36 alters systemic vitamin A homeostasis

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 23;10(1):20386. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77411-5.

Abstract

Fatty acid translocase (CD36) is a scavenger receptor with multiple ligands and diverse physiological actions. We recently reported that alcohol-induced hepatic retinoid mobilization is impaired in Cd36-/- mice, leading us to hypothesize that CD36 has a novel role in hepatic vitamin A mobilization. Given the central role of the liver in systemic vitamin A homeostasis we also postulated that absence of CD36 would affect whole-body vitamin A homeostasis. We tested this hypothesis in aging wild type and Cd36-/- mice, as well as mice fed a vitamin A-deficient diet. In agreement with our hypothesis, Cd36-/- mice accumulated hepatic retinyl ester stores with age to a greater extent than wild type mice. However, contrary to expectations, Cd36-/- mice consuming a vitamin A-deficient diet mobilized hepatic retinoid similar to wild type mice. Interestingly, we observed that Cd36-/- mice had significantly reduced white adipose tissue retinoid levels compared to wild type mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the absence of CD36 alters whole-body vitamin A homeostasis and suggest that this phenotype is secondary to the impaired chylomicron metabolism previously reported in these mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / genetics
  • Acyltransferases / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, White / pathology
  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • CD36 Antigens / deficiency*
  • CD36 Antigens / genetics
  • Chylomicrons / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Homeostasis / genetics*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Organ Size
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / metabolism
  • Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular / genetics
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular / metabolism
  • Retinyl Esters / metabolism
  • Vitamin A / metabolism*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / genetics
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / metabolism*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / pathology

Substances

  • CD36 Antigens
  • Cd36 protein, mouse
  • Chylomicrons
  • CrbpI protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular
  • Retinyl Esters
  • retinoic acid receptor beta
  • Vitamin A
  • Cyp26a1 protein, mouse
  • Retinoic Acid 4-Hydroxylase
  • Acyltransferases
  • lecithin-retinol acyltransferase