Neuroscience

How to choose a neural cell-type marker

Choose the marker by cell type and the compartment you need to resolve, then confirm the antibody is validated in your species and application. The table below lists the most widely used CNS cell-type markers.

Find the right marker

Filter Proteintech's neuroscience catalogue by what you study, the cell type or process you are interested in, species and application.

Antibodies for the targets that matter most

Browse through some of the most widely used targets in neuroscience research- TDP43, GFAP, NeuN, synaptophysin, and phospho Tau, with our broad of selection of high-cited antibodies, validated in multiple applications and available conjugated to multiple fluorescent dyes for easy multiplexing. Many of these antibodies have been 3D epitope mapped and feature whole slide IHC validation images.

TDP-43 — ALS and FTLD

TDP-43 (gene TARDBP) is the defining pathological protein of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP), and is increasingly implicated in Alzheimer's disease and LATE.

View all TDP-43 antibodies →

GFAP — Astrocytes

GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) is the gold-standard marker for astrocytes. Increased expression is commonly associated with reactive astrocytes and astrogliosis. Circulating GFAP has also emerged as a promising blood-based biomarker of CNS injury and neurodegenerative disease.

View all GFAP antibodies →

NeuN (RBFOX3) — Neuronal maturation

NeuN, encoded by RBFOX3, is the premier marker of mature, post-mitotic neurons and a mainstay of neuron counting, neuronal maturation studies.

View all NeuN antibodies →

Synaptophysin — Presynaptic vesicles and synapse density

Synaptophysin (gene SYP) is an abundant synaptic vesicle glycoprotein used to quantify synaptic vesicle content and visualise synapse density in development, plasticity and neurodegeneration.

View all synaptophysin antibodies →

PSD95 — Postsynaptic density

Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) is a scaffolding protein that serves as prominent marker for the postsynaptic end of excitatory synapses. It can be used to further study synaptic density and structural integrity

View all PSD95 antibodies →

Phospho-Tau — 15 phosphorylation sites

Tau (gene MAPT) is abnormally hyperphosphorylated in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, and different phospho-sites mark different disease stages. Proteintech's recombinant phospho-Tau portfolio covers 15 distinct sites; the three below span early tangles to late-stage neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs).

Proteintech’s phospho-Tau portfolio contains 20 antibodies against 15 distinct sites; the three antibodies below span sites that are markers for early to late-stage neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)

View all phospho-Tau antibodies →

Growth factors for organoid and neuronal differentiation

HumanKine® growth factors are expressed in human cells (HEK293), so they carry native human conformation and post-translational modifications, giving high bioactivity and lot-to-lot stability. They are validated in-house across cerebral, cortical and midbrain organoid models, and every research-grade protein has a GMP-grade counterpart for a seamless transition to clinical manufacturing.

• Authentic human-cell-expressed proteins — native folding and glycosylation
• High specific bioactivity and stability
• In-house validation in multiple organoid differentiation models
• Research-grade to GMP-grade continuity for translational programmes

Essential growth factors for cerebral organoids

In-house validation includes midbrain organoid differentiation with HumanKine Noggin, SHH, FGF-8b, GDNF and BDNF: by day 33 the organoids express progenitor markers (SOX2, Nestin, FOXA2), proliferation and neuronal markers (Ki67, MAP2), midbrain identity markers (OTX2, NURR1, MASH1) and dopaminergic markers (TH, DAT).

Browse all HumanKine cytokines and growth factors →

Multiplexing tools for spatial neuroscience and mapping neural complexity

Tissue multiplexing lets you map many neural and glial markers in a single section. Proteintech supplies two complementary systems: FlexAble kits for rapid direct conjugation and same-species multiplexing, and TSA reagents for high-sensitivity, multiplexed detection of low-abundance targets.

FlexAble 2.0 antibody labeling kits

• Compatible with primary antibodies from any supplier, at any concentration or formulation
• Fast, easy 10-minute conjugation protocol
• Same-species multiplexing — combine several primaries raised in the same host
• Compatible with standard and advanced IF: cyclic IF, IBEX, TSA, expansion microscopy and tissue clearing

Explore FlexAble antibody labeling kits →

TSA (tyramide signal amplification) reagents

• Up to 100× more sensitive than indirect staining methods
• Up to 5-plex imaging with no restriction on primary antibody host species
• Wide dynamic range for detecting low-abundance neural targets

Explore TSA reagents →

Applications for neuroscience research

Proteintech neuroscience antibodies are validated across the core techniques used to localise and quantify neural proteins in tissue, cells and biofluids.

Neuroscience resources, posters and how-to guides

Guides and protocols

• How to identify activated microglia
• 7 tips to successfully culture primary rodent neurons
• Mastering the Transition: A Protocol for Differentiating SH-SY5Y Cells into Neurons
• Midbrain organoid generation: Practical tips from the bench
• A Guide to Markers for Oligodendrocyte Identification
• Markers for Astrocyte Identification
• A Guide to Immunostaining the Cerebellum

Product focus pages

• Antibodies for neural-related diseases: ALS and FTD
• Neurodegeneration antibodies
• Neuronal marker product focus
• Synaptic marker product focus
• Ion homeostasis product focus
• Cell polarity marker product focus
• Blood-brain barrier research
• Brain tumor markers

Pathway and marker posters

• Neural cell markers poster (PDF)
• Alzheimer's disease pathway poster (PDF)
• Parkinson's disease pathway poster (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best marker for identifying neurons?

NeuN (RBFOX3) is the standard marker for mature, post-mitotic neurons and labels the nucleus and perinuclear cytoplasm. MAP2 marks dendrites and cell bodies, beta-III tubulin (TUBB3) marks early neuronal commitment, and neurofilament proteins (NEFL, NEFM, NEFH) label axons. Use NeuN to count neurons and MAP2 or beta-III tubulin for morphology.

Which markers distinguish resting from activated microglia?

IBA1 (AIF1) and TMEM119 label all microglia regardless of state. Homeostatic microglia express P2RY12 and CX3CR1, which fall on activation. Activated or phagocytic microglia upregulate CD68, CD11b (ITGAM) and MHC class II. Co-staining IBA1 with P2RY12 and CD68 lets you score the activation spectrum.

What is the difference between GFAP and S100B for astrocytes?

GFAP is an intermediate filament that labels astrocyte processes and is strongly upregulated in reactive astrogliosis, but it does not fill the whole cell and is low in some grey-matter astrocytes. S100B gives fuller cell-body labelling but is also present in some oligodendrocytes and NG2 cells. ALDH1L1 and AQP4 are more pan-astrocytic alternatives.

Which markers identify oligodendrocyte progenitors versus mature oligodendrocytes?

OLIG2, SOX10 and NKX2-2 label the whole oligodendrocyte lineage. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) express NG2 (CSPG4) and PDGFRA. Immature oligodendrocytes are marked by O4 and CNPase. Mature, myelinating oligodendrocytes express MBP, PLP1, MOG and GALC.

What antibodies and ELISA kits are used to study Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pathology?

Alzheimer's research uses antibodies and kits for amyloid-beta / APP, total and phospho-tau (MAPT), APOE, GFAP and UCH-L1. Parkinson's and other synucleinopathies use total and phospho-Ser129 alpha-synuclein (SNCA), LRRK2, PINK1 and parkin. TDP-43 (TARDBP) is central to ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and Proteintech offers TDP-43 ELISA kits for serum, plasma and CSF.

Are Proteintech neuroscience antibodies validated for knockout specificity?

Many are validated by knockout or siRNA knockdown. Each product page lists the validation data (Western blot, IHC, IF/ICC), tested species reactivity and published citations. Filter the catalogue by application and species and check the validation section on the product page before ordering.

Which TDP-43 antibody should I use for ALS and FTLD research?

For broad species reactivity and the widest application range, use the TDP-43 polyclonal antibody 10782-2-AP, the industry-standard reagent with over 1,700 citations, validated in WB, IP, IHC, IF/ICC, FC and ChIP. For human-specific detection use the monoclonal 60019-2-Ig (120+ citations; WB, IP, IHC). For N-terminal-specific, 3D epitope-mapped detection with whole-slide IHC and autostainer validation in clinical samples, use the recombinant antibody 80001-1-RR.

Which phospho-Tau antibody detects early versus late Alzheimer's disease pathology?

Phospho-Tau Thr231 (80101-7-RR) is a critical early-stage Alzheimer's marker. Phospho-Tau Ser202/Thr205 (82568-1-RR) is the gold-standard marker for paired helical filament (PHF) tau. Phospho-Tau Ser396/Ser404 (87061-1-RR) detects late-stage neurofibrillary tangles with high specificity. All three are recombinant, 3D epitope-mapped antibodies, part of a panel covering 11 distinct tau phosphorylation sites.

What is the best GFAP antibody for labelling astrocytes?

GFAP is the most widely used overall marker for astrocytes, and its expression level and cell morphology can also be quantified to study astrocyte reactivity. The GFAP polyclonal antibody 16825-1-AP is the most widely used option, with over 900 citations, validation in WB, IHC, IF-P, IF-Fro and IF/ICC, and multiple dye and biotin conjugates. For a mouse monoclonal use 60190-1-Ig (320+ citations, 3D epitope mapped); for maximum lot-to-lot consistency use the recombinant antibody 81063-1-RR, validated by whole-slide IHC and autostainer in healthy brain and glioma tissue.

Which NeuN antibody is best for neuronal maturation research?

NeuN (RBFOX3) is the premier marker of mature, post-mitotic neurons and is widely used to study neuronal maturation. The NeuN polyclonal antibody 26975-1-AP is the most versatile choice (500+ citations; WB, IHC, IF-P, IF-Fro, FC). The monoclonal 66836-1-Ig is optimised for IHC with whole-slide and autostainer validation, and the recombinant antibody 84401-4-RR offers high affinity and unmatched lot-to-lot consistency for long-term projects.

How do I quantify synaptic density by immunostaining?

Synaptophysin is a presynaptic vesicle glycoprotein used to quantify synaptic vesicle content and visualise synaptic density. The synaptophysin polyclonal antibody 17785-1-AP is top-cited (350+ citations; WB, IP, IHC, IF-P). Pair it with a postsynaptic marker such as PSD-95 for synapse colocalisation, and use the recombinant antibody 82900-1-RR when consistent signal across long imaging studies is required.

Which HumanKine growth factors are used for cerebral organoid differentiation?

Growth factors commonly used in cerebral organoid protocols include FGF-basic (HZ-1285), EGF (HZ-1326), BMP-4 (HZ-1045), Wnt3A (HZ-1296), SHH (HZ-1306), Noggin (HZ-1118), BDNF (HZ-1335), GDNF (HZ-1311), NT-3 (HZ-1341), IGF-1 (HZ-1322), TGF-β1 (HZ-1011) and CNTF (HZ-1331). The role of each factor depends on when it is added during differentiation, so concentrations and timing should follow your protocol. Midbrain dopaminergic organoids typically use Noggin, SHH, FGF-8b, GDNF and BDNF.

Can I multiplex two primary antibodies raised in the same host species?

Yes. FlexAble 2.0 antibody labelling kits conjugate a fluorophore directly to each primary antibody in a 10-minute protocol, so same-species multiplexing is possible without cross-reactivity. FlexAble works with primary antibodies from any supplier at any concentration or formulation and is compatible with cyclic IF, IBEX, TSA, expansion microscopy and tissue clearing. For low-abundance targets, TSA reagents add up to 100-fold sensitivity over indirect staining and support up to 5-plex imaging.