A novel role for proteomics in the discovery of cell‐surface markers on stem cells: Scratching the surface

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Abstract
The concept of cell‐based therapy has been advocated as a novel approach for treating diseases or conditions where regeneration of cells, tissue and/or potentially organs is required. A promising source for cell‐replacement therapies is provided by stem cells, but the success of this approach will ultimately rely on the ability to isolate primary stem or progenitor cells. Cell‐surface protein markers will play a critical role in this step. Current methodologies for the identification of cell‐surface protein markers rely primarily on antibody availability and flow cytometry, but many cell‐surface proteins remain undetectable. Proteomic technologies now offer the possibility to specifically identify and investigate the cell‐surface subproteome in a quantitative and discovery‐driven manner. Once a cell surface protein marker panel has been identified by MS and the antibodies become available, the panel should permit the identification, tracking, and/or isolation of stem or progenitor cells that may be appropriate for therapeutics. This review provides a context for the use of proteomics in discovering new cell‐surface markers for stem cells.

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