histiocytes

CD68

What is CD68? CD68 is a protein made by cells that contain specialized parts called lysosomes. Cells use lysosomes to grab and break down potentially harmful elements in their environment. For example, specialized immune cells called macrophages and histiocytes use lysosomes to kill bacteria. While CD68 is found mostly in immune cells, any type of …
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Xanthoma

What is a xanthoma? A xanthoma (pronounced “zan-thoma”) is a non-cancerous growth made up of immune cells called histiocytes. Histiocytes are specialized cells that help remove waste products from the body. The histiocytes in a xanthoma look much larger than normal histiocytes because they are full of lipids (fat). Where are xanthomas normally found? Xanthomas …
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Histiocytes

What are histiocytes? Histiocytes are a type of immune cell. They help the body heal after an injury or infection by removing dead cells, blood, micro-organisms (such as bacteria and fungus), and foreign material from the body. Pathologists commonly see large groups of histiocytes in tissue samples after an injury or infection. These cells can …
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