The immune receptor FcRg-chain mediates CD36-induced platelet activation and thrombosis by oxidised low-density lipoproteins. Open Access

• A pool of platelet CD36 is constitutively associated with FcRg

• Ligation of CD36 by oxLDL phosphorylates FcRg and recruits tyrosine kinase Syk, leading to platelet hyperactivity and thrombosis in mice

The scavenger receptor CD36 links atherogenic dyslipidaemia to platelet hyperactivity and accelerated thrombosis through the binding of oxidised low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL). The signalling mechanism(s) that facilitates CD36 translation of oxidative lipid stress into platelet activation is unclear. We examined the role of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) adaptor proteins in CD36-mediated platelet activity. OxLDL induced the phosphorylation of the ITAM-containing adaptor FcRg-chain (FcRg) in human and murine platelets. Phosphorylation of FcRg was blocked by Src Family Kinase (SFK) inhibitors, mimicked by CD36-specific oxidised phospholipids and ablated in CD36-/- murine platelets. Under basal conditions, a pool of CD36 formed a multiprotein complex that included FcRg and the SFKs Lyn and Fyn. CD36 ligation by oxLDL resulted in the recruitment, phosphorylation and activation of the tyrosine kinase Syk. To explore the functional cooperativity of this CD36-FcRg complex, we used murine platelets deficient in FcRg. The genetic ablation of FcRg prevented oxLDL-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and downstream adapter SLP-76, but not SFKs. Moreover, platelet aggregation, in vitro thrombosis, and in vivo carotid thrombosis stimulated by oxLDL were lost in the absence of FcRg. This study establishes FcRg as a first functional co-receptor for CD36 in platelets, which enables lipid platelet hyperactivity and arterial thrombosis.