CD163 also known as M130, SCARI1 is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily, and is exclusively expressed in monocytes and macrophages. It functions as an acute phase-regulated receptor involved in the clearance and endocytosis of hemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes by macrophages, and may thereby protect tissues from free hemoglobin-mediated oxidative damage. CD163 plays a vital role in the scavenging of hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes, mediating their endocytosis through a calcium-dependent, high-affinity interaction that ensures efficient clearance of free hemoglobin, thereby preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. CD163 receptor is not only involved in hemoglobin clearance but also participates in anti-inflammatory responses, making CD163 an important player in immune regulation and a potential therapeutic target for various inflammatory diseases.