CD68 Protein (Macrosialin)
Overview
<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CD68 Protein (Macrosialin)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>CD68</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>CD68 (Macrosialin)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Protein</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/?query=CD68" target="_blank">Search UniProt</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer's-disease" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Alzheimer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">282 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) plays an important role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this topic, including its mechanisms, significance in disease processes, and therapeutic implications.
Introduction
Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. [@microglial2005]
Structure
...CD68 Protein (Macrosialin)
Overview
<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CD68 Protein (Macrosialin)</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>CD68</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>CD68 (Macrosialin)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Protein</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/?query=CD68" target="_blank">Search UniProt</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer's-disease" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Alzheimer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">282 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) plays an important role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this topic, including its mechanisms, significance in disease processes, and therapeutic implications.
Introduction
Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. [@microglial2005]
Structure
CD68 is a heavily glycosylated type I transmembrane protein belonging to the lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP) family. The protein consists of:
- N-terminal leader peptide: 20-22 amino acids
- Large mucin-like domain: Contains multiple O-linked glycosylation sites
- Transmembrane domain: ~20 amino acids
- Short cytoplasmic tail: Contains lysosomal targeting motifs
The protein undergoes extensive post-translational modifications including N-linked and O-linked glycosylation, which contributes to its molecular weight heterogeneity.
Normal Function in the Nervous System
In the central nervous system, CD68 is primarily expressed by:
- [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation): The resident immune cells of the brain
- Perivascular macrophages
- Meningeal macrophages
CD68 functions as a scavenger receptor involved in:
- Phagocytosis of cellular debris and apoptotic cells
- LDL and oxidized LDL uptake
- Antigen presentation
- Cytokine signaling modulation
Within healthy brain tissue, CD68+ microglia exhibit surveillance phenotypes, constantly scanning their environment and maintaining tissue homeostasis.
Role in Neurodegeneration
CD68 is a key marker of microglial activation in neurodegenerative diseases:
Alzheimer's Disease
- Increased CD68+ microglia surrounding amyloid plaques
- Correlates with amyloid burden and disease progression
- Represents a marker of disease-associated microglia (DAM)
Parkinson's Disease
- Elevated CD68 in substantia nigra and striatum
- Associated with dopaminergic neuron loss
- Reflects chronic neuroinflammation
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Increased CD68+ microglia in motor [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex) and spinal cord
- Associated with motor neuron degeneration
- Part of the neuroinflammatory response
Multiple Sclerosis
- CD68+ microglia/macrophages in active demyelinating lesions
- Associated with myelin breakdown
- Marker for disease activity
Therapeutic Targeting
CD68 is primarily used as a biomarker for microglial activation rather than a direct therapeutic target. However:
- PET imaging ligands targeting CD68 are being developed for visualizing neuroinflammation
- CD68 promoter-driven gene therapy vectors allow microglial-specific expression
- Monitoring CD68 levels serves as a readout for therapeutic efficacy in neuroinflammation trials
Overview
Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) plays an important role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this topic, including its mechanisms, significance in disease processes, and therapeutic implications.
Background
The study of Cd68 Protein (Macrosialin) has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
References
[@cdmacrosialin2017]: CD68/Macrosialin overview: Chistiakov DA, et al. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2017;5(1):50. PMID: 28632449(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28632449/)
[@microglial2005]: Microglial markers in neurodegeneration: Mrak RE, Griffin WS. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2005;64(2):113-120. PMID: 15751226(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15751226/)
[@cd2016]: CD68 in Alzheimer's disease: Kobayashi K, et al. J Neurosci Res. 2016;94(12):1580-1594. PMID: 27545882(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27545882/)
[@cd2014]: CD68 in Parkinson's disease: Doorn KJ, et al. Acta Neuropathol. 2014;128(4):489-508. PMID: 24899257(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24899257/)
[@diseaseassociated2017]: Disease-associated microglia (DAM): Keren-Shaul H, et al. Cell. 2017;170(3):564-578. PMID: 28749934(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28749934/)
[@trem2020]: TREM2 and microglial activation: Gratuze M, et al. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020;16(4):193-206. PMID: 32025043(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32025043/)
[@microglial2021]: Microglial heterogeneity in AD: Lee CD, et al. Nat Neurosci. 2021;24(2):213-225. PMID: 33398199(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33398199/)
[@neuroinflammation2023]: Neuroinflammation biomarkers: Zhang J, et al. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023;19(8):463-479. PMID: 37414895(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37414895/)
Key Publications
See Also
- [Microglia in Neurodegeneration](/entities/microglia-in-neurodegeneration)
- [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
- [Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers](/biomarkers/alzheimers-biomarkers)
- [Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers](/biomarkers/parkinsons-disease-biomarkers)
- [Disease-Associated Microglia (DAM)](/cell-types/disease-associated-microglia-dam)
External Links
- [UniProt P31911](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P31911)
- [NCBI Gene CD68](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/968)