In cardiovascular research, cell type markers are useful tools for identifying and characterizing specific cell types within the heart and blood vessels. These markers are often proteins or molecules that are uniquely expressed by certain cell populations. Cardiomyocyte markers include: 1) Troponin I (cTnI), found exclusively in cardiomyocytes and an important marker in detecting cardiac muscle damage, as it is released into the bloodstream during heart injury; 2) α-Actinin, a cytoskeletal protein found in the Z-discs of cardiomyocytes, aiding in muscle contraction, and providing a marker for these cells. Other markers include those useful in identifying Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs). These markers include: 1) Smooth Muscle α-Actin (SMA), a protein that is highly expressed in VSMCs and a marker for smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls; 2) Calponin, an additional marker for VSMCs, involved in regulating smooth muscle contraction. Other markers important for cardiovascular research include markers for endothelial cells. Such markers include: 1) CD31 (PECAM-1), a transmembrane protein found on the surface of endothelial cells, often used as a marker for endothelial cell identification; 2) von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a glycoprotein expressed by endothelial cells involved in blood clotting, and commonly used as an endothelial marker. To identify fibroblastic cells associated with the vasculature other markers are employed. For example, vimentin, an intermediate filament protein expressed in fibroblasts and other mesenchymal cells, is often used to identify fibroblast populations, whilst Fibroblast-Specific Protein-1 (FSP-1) is a protein expressed in activated fibroblasts and is commonly used to distinguish fibroblasts from other cell types. In inflammatory conditions associated with damaged vasculature, markers for macrophages and other immune cell markers are often employed. These include: 1) CD68, a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by macrophages and monocytes, commonly used as a marker for these immune cells; 2) CD11b, part of the integrin family, this marker is found on various immune cells, including macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils. During the process of cardiogenesis other markers of cardiac progenitor cells are employed. These include such markers as: 1) Islet-1 (Isl1), a transcription factor expressed by cardiac progenitor cells during heart development, used to identify progenitor populations; 2) c-Kit (CD117), a surface marker for cardiac progenitor cells, often associated with stem-like characteristics. Neural crest cell markers such as Sox10 are also used. Sox10 is a transcription factor expressed by neural crest cells, which contribute to the development of various cardiovascular structures, including aortic arches and cardiac outflow tracts. Finally, pericytes, a key supporting cell during angiogenesis and important for stabilizing blood vessels and regulating blood flow, is often identified by antibodies to Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor β (PDGFRβ), a cell surface receptor. We provide a wide product range of research tools for investigating cardiovascular cell markers, including CD31 antibodies, CD105 antibodies, VEGF Receptor 2 antibodies, CD105 ELISA Kits, and Thrombomodulin ELISA Kits. Explore our full cardiovascular cell markers product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our Endothelial Cells, Cardiomyocytes, and Smooth Muscle Cells product ranges.