Monoclonal antibody FA6-152 recognizes human CD36 (88-kDa), a cell surface class B scavengerreceptor, also known as thrombospondin receptor CD36 is a heavily N-glycosylated transmembraneprotein of ~88 kDa with two short intracellular domains and a large extracellular domain. The protein issensitive for neuroaminidase, resulting in a shift from 88 to 85 kDa. CD36 is expressed on platelets,mature monocytes and macrophages, microvascular endothelial cells, mammary endothelial cells,during stages of erythroid cell development and on some macrophage derived dendritic cells. Theantibody recognizes adult and fetal monocytes, platelets and reticulocytes, but doesn’t stainlymphocytes and granulocytes. Reactivity has also been found in small intestine, kidney, liver andthyroid. CD36 expression is primarily controlled by the transcription heterodimer PPARg-RXR(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g-retinoid-X-receptor). CD36 is preferentially found withinlipid rafts, which facilitates its association with receptors, signaling and adaptor molecules. It is areceptor and transporter of oxidized lipids and long chain fatty acids. CD36 has been implicated inmany biological processes including angiogenesis, phagocytosis, inflammation, and lipid and glucosemetabolism. Several in vivo models support the role of the thrombospondin / CD36 system inangiogenesis and tumor growth. An important role for CD36 has been found in Malaria as majorreceptor for P. falciparum-infected red blood cells. CD36 is associated with Src-family kinases andwith the integrins α3β1 and α6β1. Recently, CD36 has been identified as a protein that is required fortoll like receptor (TLR2) recognition of di-acylated bacterial lipopeptides and lipoteichoic acid4.Furthermore, CD36 has been shown to function as phagocytic receptor for apoptotic cells. Manydifferent ligands have been reported to interact with CD36, suggesting that CD36 could recognize astructure-based domain rather than specific contact residues. Monoclonal antibody FA6-152 blocksthe biological activity of CD36 by blocking collagen/thrombospondin binding. The antibodyagglutinates fetal but not adult erythrocytes.