CD68

CD68protein

Macrophage surface antigen marking monocyte/macrophage accumulation that destabilizes atherosclerotic plaque and signals rupture vulnerability.

Pathway placement

Cascade stepPlaque inflammation

Confidencehigh

RationaleMacrophage marker; plaque-resident inflammation and matrix-degrading macrophage infiltration.

Also acts inCap degradation / rupture

Druggability

DruggableYes

Known drugs / candidates0

Small-molecule tractableNo

Antibody tractableYes

EnsemblENSG00000129226

Assay & specimen

Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.

Specimen

Serum or plasma

Collection tube

Serum separator (gold/red-top, SST) · K2/K3-EDTA (lavender-top)

Method / principle

Sandwich immunoassay (ELISA) — research-grade unless a cleared assay exists

Reagent / substrate

Matched anti-target antibody pair (capture + labeled detection)

Platform

ELISA microplate or multiplex (Luminex/MSD)

Turnaround · availability

Send-out / research · Research-grade (no universal clinical assay)