CD163 Mouse anti-Human, PE, Clone: GHI/61, BD

The GHI/61 monoclonal antibody specifically binds to human CD163. CD163 is also known as Scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 (M130), Hemoglobin scavenger receptor and Macrophage-associated antigen. CD163 is a 110-130 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein. CD163 is a monocyte/macrophage-restricted antigen expressed on the majority of tissue macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes. CD163 belongs to the scavenger receptor superfamily. Its expression on monocytes is upregulated upon cellular activation. CD163 expression reportedly changes on monocytes and macrophages as these cells differentiate. This finding suggests a role for this molecule in the differentiation and/or regulation of monocyte and macrophage function. CD163 may play a role in the clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin and haptoglobin complexes by macrophages.

It has been reported (Maniecki et al., 2011) that the presence of calcium impacts the binding affinity of clone GHI/61 to CD163. There is a variation in detecting CD163 positive monocytes when the cells are prepared with different anticoagulants, where heparin was observed to have the highest inhibitory effect on clone GHI/61.