Intimate relation between genic expression of scavenger receptor CD36 and transcription factor SREBP2

Scavenger receptors such as CD36 and sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are key proteins involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. However, it is unknown whether the expression of these proteins is related. The aims of this study were to ascertain whether there is a relation between the expression of scavenger receptor CD36 and transcription factor SREBP2 and whether the presence of atherosclerotic risk factors and/or pharmacological treatment had any influence on this relation. Our results demonstrate that there is a correlation between the genic expression of scavenger receptor CD36 and SREBP2 in the recruited patients (n = 43) (p < 0.0001) and in healthy controls (n = 8) (p < 0.001). Therefore, the possible regulation of CD36 by SREBP2 is independent of the atherosclerotic risk factors and treatment. This correlation exists in PBMC and in femoral tissue from patients. However, it was not observed in popliteal plaque. We conclude that a possible relation exists between scavenger receptor CD36 and SREBP2 and it is independent of atherosclerotic pathology.