Anti-CD163, clone M130/1210

0.2 mg/ml in 1X PBS with 0.1 mg/ml BSA (US sourced) and 0.05% sodium azide. This antibody recognizes a protein of 140kDa, identified as CD163. It has been identified as an acute phase-regulated transmembrane protein whose function is to mediate the endocytosis of haptoglobin-hemoglobin complexes. This receptor is expressed on the surface of monocytes with low expression and on tissue macrophages, histiocytes with high expression. Staining with anti-CD163 has been helpful to distinguish synovial macrophages from synovial intimal fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis, where its specificity for macrophages was found to be superior to that of anti-CD68. Increased levels of CD163 were also detected in patients with microbial infections and myelomonocytic leukemias. Anti-CD163 is of considerable value for selective identification of monocytes and macrophages at a certain stage of differentiation and is suitable for diagnosing myelomonocytic or monocytic leukaemia and neoplasms of true histiocytic origin. CD163 is positive in skin (histiocytes), gut, Kupffer cells, a few alveolar macrophages, macrophages in the placenta, and in macrophages in inflamed tissues including tumor tissue. Protein function: Acute phase-regulated receptor involved in clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages and may thereby protect tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage. May play a role in the uptake and recycling of iron, via endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin and subsequent breakdown of heme. Binds hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes in a calcium-dependent and pH-dependent manner. Exhibits a higher affinity for complexes of hemoglobin and multimeric haptoglobin of HP*1F phenotype than for complexes of hemoglobin and dimeric haptoglobin of HP*1S phenotype. Induces a cascade of intracellular signals that involves tyrosine kinase-dependent calcium mobilization, inositol triphosphate production and secretion of IL6 and CSF1. Isoform 3 exhibits the higher capacity for ligand endocytosis and the more pronounced surface expression when expressed in cells. [The UniProt Consortium]