Neuroinflammation is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Amyloid β has a
central role in microglia activation and the subsequent secretion of inflammatory mediators that
are associated with neuronal toxicity. The recognition of amyloid β by microglia depends on the
expression of several receptors implicated in the clearance of amyloid and in cell activation.
CD36 receptor expressed on microglia interacts with fibrils of amyloid inducing the release of
pro-inflammatory cytokines and amyloid internalization. The interruption of the interaction
CD36-amyloid β compromises the activation of microglia cells. We have developed and validated
a new colorimetric assay to identify potential ... More
Neuroinflammation is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Amyloid β has a
central role in microglia activation and the subsequent secretion of inflammatory mediators that
are associated with neuronal toxicity. The recognition of amyloid β by microglia depends on the
expression of several receptors implicated in the clearance of amyloid and in cell activation.
CD36 receptor expressed on microglia interacts with fibrils of amyloid inducing the release of
pro-inflammatory cytokines and amyloid internalization. The interruption of the interaction
CD36-amyloid β compromises the activation of microglia cells. We have developed and validated
a new colorimetric assay to identify potential inhibitors of the binding of amyloid β to CD36. We
have found 7 molecules, structural analogues of the Trichodermamide family of natural products
that interfere with the interaction CD36-amyloid β. By combining molecular docking and
dynamics simulations we suggested the second fatty acids binding site within the large luminal
hydrophobic tunnel, present in the extracellular domain of CD36, as the binding pocket of these
compounds. Free energy calculations predicted the non-polar component as the driving force for
the binding of these inhibitors. These molecules also inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and
IL-1β by peritoneal macrophages stimulated with fibrils of amyloid β. This work serves as a
platform for the identification of new potential anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of
Alzheimer’s disease.