Nestin

A class VI intermediate filament

General Information

Nestin is expressed in early embryonic neuroepithelial stem cells during development of the CNS. The protein is downregulated and replaced by other tissue specific intermediate filaments during differentiation. Antibodies against this protein can be employed as predominant markers for stem and progenitor cells in the mammalian CNS.
Nestin is also a useful marker-protein for brain tumors of both glial and neuronal lineage.