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12 December, 2023 by Anshul (neobio)
The body’s immune system is complex and intricate, powered by various cell types, with each playing a paramount role in maintaining health. But have you ever wondered about the different roles these cells play and how we can distinguish between them? Have you ever heard about a key player in this process known as the ‘CD163 marker’?
CD163, identified through advanced scientific processes by establishments like NeoBiotechnologies, acts as a unique identifier or marker present mainly on cells called monocytes and macrophages. These cells are crucial for the immune system, helping to fight off infections and diseases. The CD163 marker plays its part like a key player on a football team, helping the cells it’s present on to perform their functions more effectively.
An important function of the CD163 marker involves the clearing and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages. In simpler terms, it lends a helping hand in managing and reducing oxidative damage in the body.
Interestingly, CD163 is known as a marker for a particular type of macrophages, termed ‘M2 macrophages’. These cells are known for their great anti-inflammatory potential, playing a crucial role in tissue repair and healing processes.
To sum it up, here are some key points about CD163:
The marker’s involvement in critical processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress management forms the basis of our exploration into its functions, uses and implications. Keep reading to get a deeper understanding of this highly influential player on the field of the immune system.
The CD163 gene encodes a protein that functions as an acute phase-regulated receptor. Its primary role is in the clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages. This function is critical as it protects tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage.
The macrophage-membrane receptor CD163 is responsible for the binding and internalizing of these complexes, which are then broken down within the macrophage. This process is part of the body’s defense against the potential toxic effects of free hemoglobin.
Our expert at NeoBiotechnologies, Dr. Atul K. Tandon, confirms that the specific function of CD163 in this process is why it is often used in research relating to oxidative stress and inflammation.
CD163 is primarily expressed on the surface of monocytes and macrophages, and its expression can be upregulated or downregulated in response to various stimuli. For instance, it has been shown that the levels of CD163 expression can increase during inflammation or infection.
Interestingly, the regulation of CD163 expression is often used as a marker to distinguish between different types of macrophages. M1 macrophages, which are associated with inflammation and host defense, usually exhibit low levels of CD163. In contrast, M2 macrophages, which are involved in tissue repair and anti-inflammatory processes, show high levels of CD163 expression.
The role of CD163 in inflammation is complex. On one hand, CD163 is expressed predominantly on cells with strong anti-inflammatory potential, helping protect tissues from damage. On the other hand, elevated levels of CD163 have been associated with various inflammatory diseases, suggesting a potential pro-inflammatory role.
However, most evidence suggests that CD163 predominantly plays an anti-inflammatory role. The clearance of hemoglobin by CD163 is a protective mechanism, preventing the oxidative stress that could otherwise be caused by free hemoglobin. Moreover, M2 macrophages, which express high levels of CD163, are generally associated with anti-inflammatory responses and tissue repair.
In conclusion, understanding the functions and regulation of the CD163 marker is fundamental in many areas of biotechnological research and development. At NeoBiotechnologies, we continue to explore the potential of this versatile marker, developing highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies that are ideal for various applications such as Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence.
In the medical field, CD163 marker has been implicated in various disease contexts, including cancer and liver diseases, and is proving to be a valuable biomarker in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Research reveals that elevated CD163 expression can be correlated with advanced cancer stages, early distant recurrence, and decreased patient survival rate. This has been observed in various types of cancer such as melanoma, meningioma, and breast cancer.
A study by Kazankov et al. established that the macrophage activation marker sCD163 is associated with morphological disease stages in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
CD163 marker has been associated with liver disease phenotype in patients with Wilson’s disease. Researchers observed high levels of hepatic macrophage activation and low liver function in these patients.
In addition, CD163 has been found to be associated with liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus.
In the context of liver fibrosis, sCD163, a soluble form of the CD163 marker, was found to be significantly associated with fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C.
CD163 marker is also being recognized as a valuable tool in predicting disease prognosis and guiding treatment decisions.
For instance, sCD163 performed well in detecting advanced fibrosis, and its addition to the established and widely applied NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NAFLD-FS) improved the predictive capacity of the latter.
Moreover, sCD163 levels decreased in association with improvements in metabolic dysfunction in obese children undergoing lifestyle interventions. This suggests that CD163 levels could be a useful non-invasive indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders.
In conclusion, the CD163 marker plays a crucial role in various disease contexts, further underlining its importance in disease diagnosis and prognosis. NeoBiotechnologies offers a wide range of products including highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies ideal for research into the CD163 marker and its implications in disease contexts.
The CD163 marker has shown significant potential as a therapeutic target in various disease contexts. The fact that CD163 is a marker for cells from the monocyte/macrophage lineage means it has a crucial role in the immune response, specifically in the clearance of hemoglobin and as an innate immune sensor for bacteria. This makes it a promising target for modulating the immune response in diseases characterized by an overactive or dysfunctional immune system.
Moreover, the presence of a soluble form of the receptor in plasma suggests that it could be targeted by drugs or antibodies to modulate its activity. However, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of targeting CD163 in therapeutic interventions.
CD163 is also of great interest in biotechnological research and development. Companies like NeoBiotechnologies have developed Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies against CD163, which can be used for various applications such as Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence. These antibodies are extremely valuable tools for researchers studying the function and role of CD163 in health and disease.
The future of CD163 research is promising and vast. Given its crucial role in the immune response and its implication in various diseases, there is a lot of potential for discovering novel therapeutic strategies targeting CD163. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of action of CD163 and to fully understand its role in disease progression and resolution.
Additionally, the development of novel and more effective antibodies against CD163, such as those produced by NeoBiotechnologies, will undoubtedly facilitate future research. With these tools, researchers can continue to explore the therapeutic potential of CD163 in various disease contexts, including cancer, liver diseases, and potentially others where the marker may play a critical role.
In summary, the CD163 marker is a crucial element within the immune system. This protein, encoded by the CD163 gene, serves as a distinctive identifier of monocytes and macrophages, cells known for their anti-inflammatory properties. The CD163 marker is involved in the clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages, a mechanism that protects tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative harm.
Research has shown that CD163 plays key roles in various disease contexts. In cancer, for instance, elevated CD163 expression has been linked with advanced cancer stages, early recurrence, and reduced patient survival. This marker has also been associated with liver diseases like liver fibrosis and Wilson’s disease, making it a valuable tool in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Moreover, CD163 has a significant potential for therapeutic modulation. Its role as a macrophage marker and its association with various diseases make it an intriguing target for the development of therapeutic interventions. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the function of CD163 and to explore its full therapeutic potential.
Fortunately, companies like NeoBiotechnologies are contributing to this field by producing high-quality, validated antibodies for research purposes. These antibodies are indispensable for studies aimed at understanding the complex roles of CD163 in health and disease.
In conclusion, the CD163 marker is a highly versatile protein with multifaceted roles in the immune system and various disease contexts. Its potential applications in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy underscore the importance of ongoing research in this area. As our understanding of CD163 continues to grow, so too will its potential to contribute to advancements in biotechnological research and development.
For further reading, visit NeoBiotechnologies for more information on their wide range of highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies, ideal for Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence.