CD68 antibody

CD68 belongs to a growing family of hematopoietic mucin-like molecules known as lysosomal/endosomal-associated membrane glycoproteins (LAMPs). Other LAMP family members included leukosialin, stem cell antigen CD34, and GlyCAM-1. CD68 encodes a 110-kD transmembrane glycoprotein with high levels of expression in human monocytes and tissue macrophages. CD68 binds lectins through a heavily glycosylated extracellular domain.

The CD (Cluster of Differentiation) nomenclature was established in 1982 at the First International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens. It was intended for the classification of leukocytes according to the specific epitopes found at the cell surface, and at this inaugural meeting 139 monoclonal antibodies were evaluated.