title: The macrophage scavenger receptor CD163.
abstract: Mature tissue macrophages form a first line of defense to recognize and eliminate potential pathogens; these specialized cells are capable of phagocytosis, degradation of self and foreign materials, establishment of cell-cell interactions, and the production of inflammatory mediators. Mature tissue macrophages express a variety of receptors, including the scavenger receptor cystein-rich (SRCR) superfamily members. CD163 is a member of the SRCR family class B and is expressed on most subpopulations of mature tissue macrophages. The best characterized function of CD163, which is essentially a homeostatic one, is related to the binding of Hemoglobin:Haptoglobin complexes. Furthermore, it has been suggested that CD163 positive macrophages or the soluble form of CD163 plays a role in the resolution of inflammation, as they are found in high numbers in inflamed tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bo.fabriek@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Babs O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Fabriek
authors.forename: Christine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Timo K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: van den Berg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000098902:CD163 Antigen
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D000098902:CD163 Antigen; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface