# CD36 AND INTESTINAL FAT ABSORPTION

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $389,339

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
CD36, or scavenger receptor B2, is highly conserved through evolution and has metabolic and immune functions.
Our findings together suggest that CD36 has five major functions in the gut: 1) FA uptake by the proximal
intestine, 2) initiation of chylomicron synthesis and chylomicron input into the lymph, 3) mounting of a full immune
response to enteric pathogens, 4) facilitating neutrophil clearance and 5) extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling
and tissue repair [40]. Based on our recent findings we propose that low or dysfunctional gut CD36 can be a
susceptibility gene for dietary fat induced gut inflammation. Our hypothesis is that abnormal ECM remodeling
will induce gut inflammation and together with impaired immune cell function will lead to progression of gut
inflammation to the systemic level involving multiple organs with development of whole body insulin resistance.
Indeed, subclinical inflammation appears present in obese subjects carrying the minor allele of a coding SNP
that reduces CD36 level by 50%. The studies we propose in aim 1 will examine CD36’s role in dietary fat induced
alterations of ECM remodeling and immunity in the gut and will yield information relevant to etiology of major
complications of obesity. We will also conduct immune cell profiling of subjects with CD36 deficiency. Another
way by which the gut influences systemic homeostasis is through secretions of the preabsorptive phase. This
phase in people is important for optimal nutrient processing and energy metabolism. However, little is known
about its regulation and why it is blunted in type-2 diabetes. Our preliminary data indicate blunting of
preabsorptive secretions in individuals with partial CD36 deficiency. We propose in aim 2 to study the
components of the preabsorptive phase in CD36-/- mice and to determine if it is mediated by CD36 expression
on vagal neurons using a new mouse generated by deletion of CD36 in preganglionic parasympathetic neurons
using the Phox2b-Cre. In aim 3 we will study the role of CD36 in the stomach. Expression of CD36 in the
stomach is among the highest in the mouse (data not shown) and although it was demonstrated in 2001 any role
of CD36 in the stomach has not been examined. Our preliminary data indicate CD36 is highly expressed on
endothelial cells (EC) and parietal cells (PC) in the stomach and CD36 deletion alters PC morphology and
function. We will examine how CD36 deletion in EC or PC impacts PC metabolism and function and the impact
on ECM remodeling and response to injury from high fat diet, high tamoxifen treatment or H pylori infection.
Overall the studies in aims 1-3 are will increase our understanding of gut homeostatic functions, how they are
altered by excess dietary fat and the associated systemic implications. The information obtained could help
design novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate gut inflammation and its systemic impact.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9832651
- **Project number:** 5R01DK060022-18
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Nada A. Abumrad
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $389,339
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-09-28 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9832651

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9832651, CD36 AND INTESTINAL FAT ABSORPTION (5R01DK060022-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9832651. Licensed CC0.

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