Stem Cell Marker Antibodies

Stem cells with the capacity to self-renew and maintain pluripotency comprise a very small and rare subset of cells within the body. In some cases, one stem cell may be found among 100,000 cells in circulating blood. In addition, there may be little morphological distinctions and they may look like any other cell within a given tissue. Researchers have collectively found ways to identify these elusive cells by means of stem cell “markers”, a set of protein or antigenic signatures unique to stem cells. These markers are usually localized to the cell surface, and many function as receptors. For example, Oct-4 and stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEA), among others, are known for being expressed on the surface of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. The lack of certain proteins, or negative markers, are also distinguishing features in some stem cell types. Antibodies for stem cell markers are useful, well-established tools in identifying and investigating these highly sought after cells. As new findings constantly arise, make sure to consult the most recent literature regarding specific protein expression for certain cell types.