CD36 expressed on adipocytes is thought to function as a fatty acid transporter (FAT). Here we report that adipocytes can endocytose and lysosomally degrade OxLDL, mainly mediated by CD36. Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes showed marked increase in uptake and degradation of I-125-OxLDL during their differentiation to adipocytes. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis indicated that expression of CD36 but not of scavenger receptor class A or macrosialin is required for the increase in uptake and degradation of I-125-OxLDL in 3T3-L1 cells. An anti-CD36 antibody inhibited both uptake and degradation activities of I-125-OxLDL up to 60%. These results strongly suggest that adipocytes may function as phagocytes like macrophages and that CD36 plays a novel role in adipose tissues. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.