Description
Involved in clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages and may thereby protect tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage. May play a role in the uptake and recycling of iron, via endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin and subsequent breakdown of heme. Binds hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes in a calcium-dependent and pH-dependent manner. Induces a cascade of intracellular signals that involves tyrosine kinase-dependent calcium mobilization, inositol triphosphate production and secretion of IL6 and CSF1 (By similarity). May play a role in the process of infection of porcine monocytes/macrophages by African swine fever virus (ASFV). In case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), serves mediates virion attachment and plays a role in viral entry. After shedding, the soluble form (sCD163) may play an anti-inflammatory role