Table 1: Single and combination markers for MSC isolation and characterisation

Marker (AKA)	Comments	Ref
CD44	CD44 is a receptor for the ECM component Hyaluronan and may mediate the migration of MSC.	[169]
CD73 (5’-nucleotidase)	Classic MSC characterisation marker in combination with CD90 and CD105. May be a mediating factor in MSC differentiation.	[6,170]
CD90 (Thy-1)	Commonly expressed by T cells. Classic MSC characterisation marker in combination with CD73 and CD105	[6]
CD105 (Endoglin)	Though expressed by numerous cell types including endothelial cells and fibroblasts, enrichment of CD105+ cells from bone marrow has been seen to result in large numbers after short term culture. Classic MSC characterisation marker in combination with CD73 and CD90	[6]
CD106 (V-CAM-1)	Highly expressed on placental MSCs and weakly expressed on AD and BM MSCs. CD106+ MSCs have a weaker clonogenic potential but greater immuno-suppressive capabilities.	[171]
CD146 (MCAM)	CD146 is expressed by pericytes and perivascular MSCs. High CD146 expression in MSCs suggests commitment to the vascular smooth muscle cell line.	[172-174]
CD271 (LNGFR)	Potential marker for precursor MSCs located in the trabecular bone. Isolation or enrichment for CD271 may result in a more homogeneous population of cells with a greater growth, differentiation and immuno-suppressive characteristics compared to PA-MSCs	[50,56,60]
STRO-1	Isolation of STRO-1+ cells from the bone marrow stroma yields colony forming cells with osteogenic potential. STRO-1+ MSCs have a greater migratory capacity then STRO-1- cells; however it is also a marker expressed by CD34+ cells.	[175-179]
SSEA-4	SSEA-4 is classically considered to be a marker for embryonic stem cells, however it has also been shown to be expressed by BM-MSCs.	[180]
CD271+CD90+ CD106+	CD271+/CD90+ population contains a higher proportion of clonogenic cells. In this fraction, the CD106+ cells were the faster proliferators.	[181]
Stro-1+CD106+	Stro-1+CD106+ samples sorted directly for bone marrow were reported to be homogeneous due to consistent expression of type 1 collagen, however the rate of proliferation was still variable and strongly inhibited in some colonies.	[182]
MSCA-1+CD56+	Sorted MSCA-1+CD56+ populations displayed a homogeneous phenotype, as well as a strong chondrogenic potential.	[183]
CD271+CD140b+	From sorted BM samples the CD271^highpopulation contained strongly clonogenic MSCs. CD140b was only seen on these cells.	[184]
CD13^high CD105+ CD45−	Isolated through cell sorting, this bone marrow- derived cell population expressed all classic MSC characteristics. Authors note that post expansion the population had an altered phenotype with decreased HLA-DR expression and increased CD146 expression.	[185]