As a researcher, you need to detect cell-surface molecules accurately in immunology, vascular biology, and inflammation research. Also known as PECAM-1 (Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1), CD31 is one of the most important markers for endothelial and immune cells. The CD31 monoclonal antibody is a key tool for studying CD31 in mouse models. This antibody has high specificity toward the CD31 antigen.
In this article, you will learn about the biology of CD31, the scientific value of the ER-MP12 clone, and how you can apply this antibody in flow cytometry, immunostaining, and immune-cell characterization.
Understanding CD31
It is a 140-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Thanks to its expression pattern, CD31 is a powerful marker for vascular and immune research. You can find it on:
- Endothelial cells lining blood vessels
- Platelets
- Multiple leukocyte subsets
- Bone-marrow-derived precursors
| CD31 helps in mediating blood clotting response in platelets. |
CD31 has a role to play in:
- Cell adhesion
- Leukocyte migration
- Maintenance of vascular integrity
- Signal transduction
As CD31 has a stable presence on endothelial cells, researchers use an anti CD31 antibody to map vascular structures and assess angiogenesis.
Overview of the CD31 Antibody
The CD31 antibody, also referred to as clone ER-MP12, is a rat monoclonal antibody raised specifically against mouse CD31. It is highly reliable, specific, and versatile. As a result, it is one of the most commonly used reagents in vascular and immunological studies.
| Host species | Rat |
| Target species | Mouse |
| Isotype | Usually IgG (rat IgG), suitable for various detection systems |
| Target antigen | Mouse CD31 (or PECAM-1) |
| Recommended applications |
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Why CD31 Is a Critical Biological Marker
Endothelial Cell Identification
CD31 is one of the most reliable markers for identifying and visualizing endothelial cells. Staining with ER-MP12 allows you to evaluate:
- Tissue vascularization
- Capillary density
- Microvascular remodeling
- Angiogenesis in tumors and wound-healing models
Leukocyte Transmigration and Inflammation
Leukocytes migrate from the bloodstream into tissues during inflammation. CD31 contributes to:
- Homophilic adhesion during transendothelial migration
- Regulation of leukocyte activation
- Immune-cell trafficking in inflamed tissues
You can use an anti CD31 antibody to understand the cellular mechanisms of inflammatory diseases.
Bone Marrow and Hematopoiesis
As it is expressed on macrophage and dendritic cell progenitors, you can use CD31 to characterize hematopoietic lineages, identify precursor cell subsets, and study stem-cell and immune development.
Research Applications
You can use CD31 antibody in a wide range of research applications, including:
Flow Cytometry
It is a common technique for measuring CD31 expression. An anti CD31 antibody (ER-MP12) is used to:
- Quantify endothelial and leukocyte subsets
- Distinguish immune-cell activation states
- Analyze bone-marrow precursor populations
Specificity of ER-MP12 provides clear separation of CD31-positive and CD31-negative cell subsets.
Immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence
ER-MP12 is used in tissue-based studies to visualize vascular networks, which include:
- Mapping blood vessel density in normal and diseased tissues
- Detecting tumor-induced angiogenesis
- Evaluating vascular damage
- Understanding microvascular changes caused by inflammation
Using an anti CD31 antibody to stain endothelial cells reveals detailed microvascular patterns which is helpful in cancer research, stroke studies, and regenerative medicine.
ELISA and Quantitative Protein Measurement
You can also use this antibody in ELISA systems to quantify CD31 protein levels. This helps in:
- Monitoring endothelial activation
- Comparing CD31 expression between experimental groups
- Studying changes in vascular markers during disease progression
Studying Inflammatory Pathways
CD31 has the ability to modulate signaling, influence leukocyte activation, and regulate interactions between immune and endothelial cells. You can use ER-MP12 to:
- Understand tissue injuries caused by inflammation
- Investigate the mechanisms behind autoimmune disorders
- Study atherosclerosis, sepsis, or ischemia-reperfusion injury
Advantages of ER-MP12
High specificity
It binds selectively to the CD31/PECAM-1 antigen with minimal cross-reactivity. This reduces false-positive signals.
Versatile
It is validated for IHC, IF, flow cytometry (FACS), ELISA, and immunoperoxidase staining. You can use it across tissue imaging, cell-sorting, and quantification assays. This improves your experimental consistency.
Reproducibility and Lot-to-Lot Consistency
As a monoclonal antibody, it recognizes a single epitope and provides stable results across different batches. This is essential for long-term or multi-center research projects.
Strong Signal and Low Background
It produces clear, high-contrast staining that improves visualization of microvasculature and enhances sensitivity in detecting low CD31 expression levels.
