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CD68 molecule
Symbol CD68
Entrez 968
HUGO 1693
OMIM 153634
RefSeq NM_001251
UniProt P34810
Other data
Locus Chr. 17 p13

CD68 (Cluster of Differentiation 68) is a glycoprotein which binds to low density lipoprotein.

It is expressed on monocytes/macrophages.[1][2]

The mouse equivalent is called "macrosialin".

Use in pathology[edit]

Immunohistochemistry can be used to identify the presence of CD68, which is found in the cytoplasmic granules of a range of different blood cells and myocytes. It is particularly useful as a marker for the various cells of the macrophage lineage, including monocytes, histiocytes, giant cells, Kupffer cells, and osteoclasts. This allows it to be used to distinguish diseases of otherwise similar appearance, such as the monocyte/macrophage and lymphoid forms of leukaemia (the latter being CD68 negative). Its presence in macrophages also makes it useful in diagnosing conditions related to proliferation or abnormality of these cells, such as malignant histiocytosis, histiocytic lymphoma, and Gaucher's disease.[3][4]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Osterne R, Matos-Brito R, Alves AP, et al. (February 2009). "Oral Granulocytic Sarcoma : A case report". Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 14 (5): E232–5. PMID 19218902. [dead link]
  2. ^ Holness CL, Simmons DL (March 1993). "Molecular cloning of CD68, a human macrophage marker related to lysosomal glycoproteins". Blood 81 (6): 1607–13. PMID 7680921. 
  3. ^ Leong, Anthony S-Y; Cooper, Kumarason; Leong, F Joel W-M (2003). Manual of Diagnostic Cytology (2 ed.). Greenwich Medical Media, Ltd. pp. 135–136. ISBN 1-84110-100-1. 
  4. ^ Manduch M, Dexter DF, Jalink DW, Vanner SJ, Hurlbut DJ (January 2009). "Undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: Report of a case with osteochondroid differentiation". Pathol. Res. Pract. 205 (5): 353–9. doi:10.1016/j.prp.2008.11.006. PMID 19147301. 

External links[edit]