Description: This FA-11 monoclonal antibody reacts with mouse CD68, known also as macrosialin. CD68 is a heavily O- and N- glycosylated type I integral membrane protein belonging to the sialomucin family and is closely related to the Lysosomal/endosomal-Associated Membrane Glycoproteins (LAMP).

Although commonly used as a pan-macrophage marker, low levels of expression have also been observed in Langerhans cells and conventional dendritic cells. CD68 is mostly localized in the late endosomes and lysosomes with a smaller fraction circulating to the cell surface. In the steady state, only about 10-15% of CD68 is present at the surface. Cell stimulation increases expression of CD68, its transport to cell surface, and results in glycoform remodeling. CD68 binds oxidized LDL and is involved in the process of phagocytosis.

The FA-11 antibody is not recommended for use in immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues.

Applications Reported: This FA-11 antibody has been reported for use in intracellular staining followed by flow cytometric analysis, and immunohistochemical staining of frozen tissue sections. (Fluorochrome conjugated FA-11 is recommended for use in intracellular flow cytometry.).

Applications Tested: Anti-Mouse CD68 Purified has been tested by immunohistochemistry of frozen mouse tissue and can be used at less than or equal to 5 µg/mL. It is recommended that the antibody be carefully titrated for optimal performance in the assay of interest.

Purity: Greater than 90%, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Aggregation: Less than 10%, as determined by HPLC.

Filtration: 0.2 µm post-manufacturing filtered.

Target Information

CD68 (Macrosialin) is a 110 kDa integral membrane glycoprotein predominantly expressed on the intracellular lysomsomes of monocytes and macrophages and to a lesser extent by dendritic cells and peripheral blood granulocytes. Also, CD68 could play a role in phagocytic activities of tissue macrophages, both in intracellular lysosomal metabolism and extracellular cell-cell and cell-pathogen interactions.

CD68 is expressed by interdigitating reticulum cells in tonsil and some histiocytic lymphoma or histiocytosis, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and granulocytic sarcoma. Elevated expression of CD68 has been demonstrated on CD34+ cells in various human malignancies, including several Acute Myeloid Leukemia studies.