Anti-Microsialin/CD68 Antibody, clone 9 clone 9, 1 mg/mL, from rat

Microsialin/CD68, also known as Macrosialin, Gp110, CD_antigen 68, or CD68, and encoded by the gene CD68, is a membrane protein expressed in macrophages (and other cells) that appears to play a role in the phagocytic activities of tissue macrophages both in intracellular lysosomal metabolism but also in extracellular cell to cell interactions and cell pathogen interactions. Microsialin binds to tissue and organ-specific lectins or selectins mediating homing of macrophage subsets to particular sites. Also, rapid recirculation of Microsialin from the endosomes and lysosomes to the plasma membrane may allow macrophages to crawl over selection-bearing substrates or other cells. Microsialin is expressed in blood monocytes and tissue macrophages primarily but is also found expressed in lymphocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells so it is not an exclusive marker for macrophages. Also Microsialin is expressed on many tumor cells which seem to allow the tumor cells to attach to selectins on the vascular endothelium facilitating their dissemination to secondary sites.