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| CD163 |
|---|
| Gene Symbol | CD163 |
| Full Name | CD163 Molecule (Hemoglobin Scavenger Receptor) |
| Aliases | M130, SCARI1, SR-AII |
| Chromosomal Location | 12p13.31 |
| Gene Type | Protein coding |
| NCBI Gene ID | [9332](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/9332) |
| OMIM | [605226](https://omim.org/entry/605226) |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000177575 |
| UniProt ID | [Q86VB7](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q86VB7) |
| Associated Diseases | [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimer's-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinson's-disease), [Multiple sclerosis](/diseases/multiple-sclerosis), [ALS](/diseases/ALS), Stroke |
CD163 (Cluster of Differentiation 163), also known as the Hemoglobin Scavenger Receptor, is a member of the scavenger receptor family. It is expressed primarily on monocytes and macrophages, including brain microglia, and plays essential roles in hemoglobin clearance, anti-inflammatory signaling, and immune regulation.
CD163 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein with:
- Extracellular domain: 9 scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains
- Transmembrane region: Single pass
- Cytoplasmic tail: Signaling capabilities
The primary function is hemoglobin/haptoglobin scavenging:
- Binds hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes
- Prevents iron-mediated oxidative damage
- Facilitates iron recycling
- Anti-inflammatory: Hemoglobin clearance reduces ROS
CD163 triggers anti-inflammatory responses:
- IL-10 induction: Promotes M2 (anti-inflammatory) polarization
- TGF-β production: Enhances tissue repair
- HO-1 activation: Heme oxygenase-1, protective against oxidative stress
In the brain, CD163 is a hallmark of:
- M2 microglia: Alternative activation state
- Perivascular macrophages: Brain border macrophages
- Inflammatory resolution: Tissue repair phase
CD163+ microglia in AD:
- Amyloid clearance: Attempted Aβ phagocytosis
- Neuroinflammation: Chronic activation state
- Disease progression: Correlates with pathology
- Therapeutic target: Modulation of microglial phenotype
- Dopaminergic neuron loss: Associated with microglial activation
- α-Synuclein clearance: Attempted pathological protein removal
- Neuroinflammation: Chronic M1/M2 imbalance
- Demyelination: CD163+ cells in lesions
- Remyelination: M2 cells promote repair
- Disease course: Biomarker for disease activity
- Motor neuron environment: Altered microglial responses
- Disease progression: M1/M2 polarization changes
- Therapeutic targeting: Modulation approaches
- Ischemic injury: Early M1, later M2 response
- Recovery phase: M2 cells promote repair
- Biomarker: CD163 as outcome predictor
CD163 exhibits cell-type specific expression:
| Cell Type |
Expression |
| Microglia (brain) |
High (M2 polarized) |
| Perivascular macrophages |
High |
| Monocytes |
Moderate |
| Tissue macrophages |
High |
| Astrocytes |
Very low |
| Neurons |
None |
- CSF CD163: Marker of neuroinflammation
- PET ligands: Imaging microglial activation
- Disease monitoring: Progression tracking
- CD163 agonists: Enhance M2 polarization
- Anti-CD163 antibodies: Modulate function
- Haptoglobin-CD163 axis: Therapeutic modulation
- Mouse models: CD163-Cre for microglial targeting
- Biomarker development for neurodegeneration