CD163

CD163 is a receptor for the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex (Hb-Hp) in the B-class scavenger receptor superfamily. It can mediate the endocytosis and clearance of free Hb to prevent oxidative damage caused by iron ions in Hb. CD163 mainly exists in mononuclear phagocyte system and can assist in the diagnosis of histiocytic neoplasm. Moreover, CD163 has been confirmed to be a specific biomarker for M2 tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). The TAMs have tumor promoting effect, which can promote tumor angiogenesis and inhibit immune response. For example, CD163+ TAMs can release growth factors and chemokines in breast cancer, induce tumor stem cell differentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling in gastric cancer, and activate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway in colorectal cancer. In addition, CD163 expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma may stimulate tumor development by inducing TAM production. In summary, CD163 has reference significance for the prognosis evaluation of lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and other tumors.