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CD68
CD68 Full Name
CD68 molecule
CD68 Introduction
CD68 (Cluster of Differentiation 68), also known as macrosialin in mice, is a highly glycosylated transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein (LAMP) family. It is primarily localized within the lysosomal and endosomal compartments of cells, though a small fraction shuttles to the plasma membrane. CD68 is expressed ubiquitously in monocytes and tissue macrophages, including Kupffer cells in the liver and microglia in the brain, making it the most widely used cytochemical marker for the monocyte-macrophage lineage.
Figure 1. A scheme shows the general features of the domain organization of murine macrosialin and human proteins LAMP-1, LAMP-2, DC-LAMP, and CD68 and depicts the principal differences between the family members. (Source: Chistiakov DA, et al. 2017)
Functionally, CD68 acts as a scavenger receptor. It specifically binds to oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins (oxLDL) and phosphatidylserine. Through this binding, CD68 facilitates the receptor-mediated endocytosis of cellular debris and modified lipids, playing a critical role in cellular clearance and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, its heavy glycosylation forms a "glycocalyx" barrier that protects the lysosomal membrane from degradation by the potent hydrolases contained within.
The clinical utility of CD68 is fundamental to diagnostic pathology. Because it stains macrophages regardless of their activation state (M1 or M2), it is the primary immunohistochemical tool used to identify Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) in cancer biopsies. A high density of CD68+ cells in the tumor microenvironment is generally correlated with poor prognosis in malignancies such as breast cancer and lymphoma, as these cells often suppress the immune response. Beyond oncology, CD68 is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis. Its ability to avidly bind oxidized LDL allows macrophages in the arterial wall to accumulate excessive lipids, transforming them into "foam cells." These foam cells eventually die and release their contents, contributing to the necrotic core of the atherosclerotic plaque. Additionally, CD68 is implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, where abundant CD68+ macrophages infiltrate the synovial lining, driving joint destruction.
Alternate Names for CD68
CD68; CD68 molecule; GP110; LAMP4; SCARD1; macrosialin; CD68 antigen; macrophage antigen CD68; scavenger receptor class D, member 1;
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