Selective Azapeptide CD36 Ligand MPE-298 Regulates oxLDL-LOX-1-Mediated Inflammation and Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress in Macrophages

Macrophage mitochondrial dysfunction, caused by oxidative stress, has been proposed as an essential event in the progression of chronic inflammation diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The cluster of differentiation-36 (CD36) and lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) scavenger receptors mediate macrophage uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), which contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction by sustained production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), as well as membrane depolarization. In the present study, the antioxidant mechanisms of action of the selective synthetic azapeptide CD36 ligand MPE-298 have been revealed. After binding to CD36, MPE-298 was rapidly internalized by and simultaneously induced CD36 endocytosis through activation of the Lyn and Syk (spleen) tyrosine kinases. Within this internalized complex, MPE-298 inhibited oxLDL/LOX-1-induced chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) secretion, abolished the production of mtROS, and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization in macrophages. This occurred through the inhibition of the multiple-component enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (NOX2) by oxLDL-activated LOX-1, which was further supported by the reduced recruitment of the p47phox subunit and small GTPase (Rac) 1/2/3 into the plasma membrane. A new mechanism for alleviating oxLDL-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in macrophages is highlighted using the CD36 ligand MPE-298.