Open AccessThe scavenger receptor CD36 plays a role in cytokine-induced macrophage fusion
Author(s) -
Laura Helming,
Julia Winter,
Siamon Gordon
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cell science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.384
H-Index - 278
eISSN - 1477-9137
pISSN - 0021-9533
DOI - 10.1242/jcs.037200
Subject(s) - cd36 , biology , scavenger receptor , giant cell , microbiology and biotechnology , macrophage , cell fusion , cytokine , receptor , multinucleate , cell , immunology , biochemistry , in vitro , lipoprotein , genetics , cholesterol
Multinucleated giant cells, characteristic of granulomatous infections, originate from the fusion of macrophages. Using an antibody screening strategy we found that the scavenger receptor CD36 participates in macrophage fusion induced by the cytokines IL-4 and GM-CSF. Our results demonstrate that exposure of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface and lipid recognition by CD36 are required for cytokine-induced fusion of macrophages. We also show that CD36 acts in a heterotypic manner during giant-cell formation and that the formation of osteoclasts is independent of CD36. The discovery of molecules involved in the formation of multinucleated giant cells will enable us to determine their functional significance. Furthermore, our results suggest that lipid capture by cell surface receptors may be a general feature of cell fusion.