Besides CD31, which marker is commonly used to identify endothelial cells in histology?

Besides CD31, which marker is commonly used to identify endothelial cells in histology?

• A. CD34
• B. VE-cadherin
• C. CD45
• D. von Willebrand factor (vWF)

Answer: (D)

Endothelial cells express markers that stand out in tissue sections, allowing us to identify the lining of blood vessels. von Willebrand factor is a classic marker for endothelium because it is produced by endothelial cells and stored in Weibel-Palade bodies, then released into the lumen. Immunostaining for vWF highlights the endothelial lining, making it a reliable way to identify vessels alongside CD31. Other options are less ideal in routine histology. CD45 labels leukocytes, not endothelium, so it wouldn’t mark blood vessel lining. CD34 does label endothelial cells but is also expressed on hematopoietic progenitors and some stromal cells, which can reduce specificity. VE-cadherin marks endothelial cell junctions and is very useful in research contexts, but vWF is the more widely used, general marker for endothelium in standard histology.

Endothelial cells express markers that stand out in tissue sections, allowing us to identify the lining of blood vessels. von Willebrand factor is a classic marker for endothelium because it is produced by endothelial cells and stored in Weibel-Palade bodies, then released into the lumen. Immunostaining for vWF highlights the endothelial lining, making it a reliable way to identify vessels alongside CD31.

Other options are less ideal in routine histology. CD45 labels leukocytes, not endothelium, so it wouldn’t mark blood vessel lining. CD34 does label endothelial cells but is also expressed on hematopoietic progenitors and some stromal cells, which can reduce specificity. VE-cadherin marks endothelial cell junctions and is very useful in research contexts, but vWF is the more widely used, general marker for endothelium in standard histology.