MSC Markers

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or stromal cells are a form of adult stem cell that harbour the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation and exhibit a wide tissue distribution. They are derived from the neural crest, a temporary population of cells found between the dorsal ectoderm and the neural tube in vertebrate embryos, and were initially described as nonhematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, but they are now known to be present in peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, dental pulp, and adipose tissue. MSCs are characterized morphologically by a small cell body exhibiting a few long processes. Mesenchymal stem cells are able to differentiate into cells of mesenchymal lineage such as osteocytes (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), myocytes (muscle cells), and adipocytes (fat cells), as well as organ-associated cells such as hepatocytes (liver cells), islet cells (the hormone producing cells of the pancreas), and cardiomyocytes (the specialized muscle cells within the heart). Moreover, MSCs can differentiate into cells of non-mesodermal origin (ectodermal and endodermal lineages), such as neurons, cardiomyocytes, epithelial cells or hepatocytes. Differentiation of MSCs is mediated by mechanical signals, cytokines, and growth factors as well as other signalling molecules, which in turn regulate the activity of specific transcription factors that determine cell fate. In adult mammals, mesenchymal stem cells can be isolated from the bone marrow and many different mesenchymal tissues, although the cellular phenotype and differentiation potential is thought to vary depending on the source. The biological functions of MSCs include the maintenance of stem cell niches, tissue development, tissue maintenance, normal repair and the rejuvenation of diseased or aging tissue. Tissue repair is specifically orchestrated through the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs via the secretion of cytokines, growth factors and angiogenic factors amongst other mediators. MSCs have also been shown to donate mitochondria to damaged cells thereby promoting repair and cell survival. In terms of clinical applications, MSCs are emerging as a promising therapy for tissue regeneration and have been implicated in the treatment of diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as well as bone and cartilage diseases. Due to the immune-suppressive properties of MSCs they also make ideal candidates for the treatment of auto-immune disease, graft-versus host disease and transplant rejection. According to the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), human mesenchymal stem cells can be identified by a set of characteristic properties when cultured in vitro. These are the ability to adhere to and self-renew on plastic culture vessels, the capacity to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal-derived cell lineages under appropriate conditions, and the expression or absence of specific cellular markers when assessed using techniques such as flow cytometry or immunocytochemistry (ICC). Expressed MSC markers include the cluster of differentiation antigens CD73, CD90, and CD105, while unexpressed markers include CD11b, CD14, CD19, CD31, CD34, CD45, CD79α, and HLA-DR. In addition, other marker combinations may be used for identifying mesenchymal stem cells based on their tissue of origin. For example, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow are known to express CD106, CD146, STRO-1 in combination with CD73, CD90, and CD105, and to specifically lack CD14, CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR expression, whereas mesenchymal stem cells derived from the dental pulp are positive for CD29, CD44, CD90, and CD105, and negative for CD14, CD34, CD45. We offer a wide range of mesenchymal stem cell markers including CD73 antibodies, CD105 antibodies, c-Kit antibodies, CD10 antibodies, CD44 antibodies, and CD45 antibodies, covering various host species, antibody types, formulations, and conjugates.