SSEA4 antibody [MC813] - Embryonic Stem Cell Marker

Product type
Primary antibodies

Description
Mouse monoclonal [MC813] to SSEA4 - Embryonic Stem Cell Marker

Immunogen
Human embryonal carcinoma cell line 2102Ep.

Species Reactivity
Reacts with Human and Mouse.
Not yet tested in other species.

Specificity
This antibody reacts with the Stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4, a glycolipid carbohydrate epitope) that is expressed upon the surface of human teratocarcinoma stem cells (EC), human embryonic germ cells (EG) and human embryonic stem cells (ES). No immunoreactivity is evident with undifferentiated murine EC, ES and EG cells.Expression of SSEA-4 is down regulated following differentiation of human EC cells. In contrast, the differentiation of murine EC and ES cells may be accompanied by an increase in SSEA-4 expression.

Relevance
SSEA-4 (Stage-specific embryonic antigen 4) is a glycoprotein expressed early in embryonic development and in pluripotent stem cells. SSEA-4 can be used as a marker of Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Human Embryonic Carcinoma Cells and Human Embryonic Germ Cells. Monoclonal antibodies to this target have been widely used in the characterization of pluripotent stem cells. Mouse pluripotent stem cells are not recognised by anti-SSEA-4 antibodies but do express the antigen upon differentiation.