Functional consequences of platelet binding to T lymphocytes in inflammation

Expression of the scavenger receptor CD36 on lymphocytes is intriguing. We observed that a minor subpopulation of lymphocytes expressed CD36 on the cell surface. We investigated the source of CD36 and also the proliferation and cytokine production of these CD36+ CD4+ lymphocytes. Flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy showed that CD36+ platelets were responsible for CD36 detection on lymphocytes. CD36 was then used as a tool...