Description
CD68 is a 110 kDa transmembrane (Type I) glycoprotein consisting of a polypeptide of 37,408 kDa (354 amino acids) which corresponding cDNA sequence is highly expressed by human monocytes and tissue macrophages. CD68 plays a role in phagocytic activities of tissue macrophages, both in intracellular lysosomal metabolism and extracellular cell-cell and cell- pathogen interactions. It binds to tissue- and organ-specific lectins or selectins, allowing homing of macrophage subsets to particular sites. Rapid recirculation of CD68 from endosomes, lysosomes to the plasma membrane may allow macrophages to crawl over selectin bearing substrates or other cells