CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads
Description The MicroBead-coupled CD326 antibody recognizes the human epithelial antigen (HEA), an epithelial cell–specific adhesion molecule, also known as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) or epithelial-specific antigen (ESA). The CD326 antigen is broadly expressed on cells of epithelial origin and on epithelium-derived tumor cells1. In order to prevent Fc receptor–mediated non-specific labeling of non-epithelial cells, it is strongly recommended to use FcR Blocking Reagent before magnetic labeling. Applications CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads can be used for the positive selection of viable epithelial tumor cells from peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, serous effusions and stool samples11 of patients with carcinomas. Tumor cells enriched by CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads can be cultured2 and analyzed by immunocytochemistry3–7, flow cytometry8, or molecular biology techniques, for example, RT-PCR9. Primary tumor cell cultures have been purified using CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads10. Hepatic stem cells have also been isolated using MACS® Technology by selection for CD326 (EpCAM) expression.12 Columns MS, LS, XS Columns, or autoMACS™ Columns.		Figure 1 CD326 (EpCAM)+ tumor cells isolated from pleural effusion of a patient with adeno-carcinoma using CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads, an MS Column, and a MiniMACS™ Separator. Cells were stained with CD326 (EpCAM)-FITC and Anti-FITC Alkaline Phosphatase plus substrate. (Courtesy of Dr. Motherby and Prof. Böcking, Inst. of Cytopathol., Univ. Düsseldorf, Germany.) Figure 2 Enrichment of tumor cells from PBMCs spiked with cells of the breast cancer cell line BT474. Separation was performed using an MS Column and CD326 (EpCAM) MicroBeads. A: Cell mixture before separation (6×107 PBMCs were mixed with 50,000 tumor cells) B: Positive fraction with enriched breast cancer cells (1.54×105 total cells)