Anti-CD68 (Macrophage Marker) Monoclonal Antibody (Clone: C68/2908R)

This antibody recognizes a glycoprotein of 110kDa, which is identified as CD68. It is important for identifying macrophages in tissue sections. It stains macrophages in a wide variety of human tissues, including Kupffer cells and macrophages in the red pulp of the spleen, in lamina propria of the gut, in lung alveoli, and in bone marrow. It reacts with myeloid precursors and peripheral blood granulocytes. It also reacts with plasmacytoid T cells, which are supposed to be of monocyte/macrophage origin. It shows strong granular cytoplasmic staining of chronic and acute myeloid leukemia and also reacts with rare cases of true histiocytic neoplasia. Lymphomas are negative or show few granules. Protein function: Could play a role in phagocytic activities of tissue macrophages, both in intracellular lysosomal metabolism and extracellular cell-cell and cell-pathogen interactions. Binds to tissue- and organ-specific lectins or selectins, allowing homing of macrophage subsets to particular sites. Rapid recirculation of CD68 from endosomes and lysosomes to the plasma membrane may allow macrophages to crawl over selectin-bearing substrates or other cells. [The UniProt Consortium]