CD36 is involved in lycopene and lutein uptake by adipocytes and adipose tissue cultures

International audience; Scope: Carotenoids are mainly stored in adipose tissue. However, nothing is known regarding the uptake of carotenoids by adipocytes. Thus, our study explored the mechanism by which lycopene and lutein, two major human plasma carotenoids, are transported. Methods and results: CD36 was a putative candidate for this uptake, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with sulfosuccinimidyl oleate, a CD36-specific inhibitor. sulfosuccinimidyl oleate-treated cells showed a significant decrease in both lycopene and lutein uptake as compared to control cells. Their uptake was also decreased by partial inhibition of CD36 expression using siRNA, whereas the overexpression of CD36 in Cos-1 cell…