Hello

The ectoderm is the first germ layer to emerge during gastrulation. Early ectodermal lineage cells can be identified by the expression of markers such as the transcription factor, Otx2. Subsequent activation of specific gene expression profiles induces further ectodermal lineage restriction. For example, FGF signaling and Pax6 expression in pluripotent stem cells induce early neuroectoderm differentiation, while BMP-4 treatment induces surface ectoderm differentiation in human pluripotent stem cells.

Early Ectodermal Lineage Markers :

BMP-4

Otx2

Chordin

p63/TP73L

FGF-8

Pax2

FoxJ3

Pax6

GBX2

SOX1

Nestin

beta-III Tubulin

Noggin

Surface Ectodermal Cells

IRF6

MSX2

MSX1

p63/TP73L

If you need tha cell differentiate to neuroectoderm use this markers :

Nestin / Ectoderm marker : is neural and pancreatic progenitor , Intermediate filaments within cells; characteristic of primitive neuroectoderm formation

Neuronal cell-adhesion molecule (N-CAM) / Ectoderm marker : is Cell-surface molecule that promotes cell-cell interaction; indicates primitive neuroectoderm formation

Pax6 / Ectoderm marker : is Transcription factor expressed as ES cell differentiates into neuroepithelium

Vimentin / Ectoderm ,neural and pancreatic progenitor marker : is Intermediate filaments within cells; characteristic of primitive neuroectoderm formation

NOT: must be Find out how The ectoderm is composed of the surface or external layer, the neural crest, and the neural tube. The surface ectoderm begins to proliferate shortly after separation from the neuroectoderm. Cells from the surface ectoderm differentiate to form stratified epithelia and the epidermis. The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, serves to protect the body from the external environment. Epithelia formed by surface ectodermal cells include those that line the mouth, nasal cavity, and the pineal and pituitary glands. In response to signals from the underlying mesoderm, these cells also form specialized surface structures like hair follicles, nails, sweat glands, and mammary glands. Cells from the surface ectoderm also differentiate into cells that form the lens and cornea of the eye, and the dental enamel.

Good luck

Thank you Saleh! Your review-like answer is really interesting, although I would appreciate a specific reference of a good ectoderm antibody. 

Dear Marta,

Since you were unclear as to your starting cell type, the following are antibodies (sources of antibodies listed in references) to particular markers we have used for some of our differentiation assays:

Totipotent Markers

CEA-CAM-1 - Carcinoembryonic antigen-cell adhesion molecule-1

HCEA - Human Carcinoembryonic antigen

CEA - Carcinoembryonic antigen

CD66e - Carcinoembryonic antigen

Pluripotent Markers

MC-480 - SSEA-1

MC-631 - SSEA-3

MC-813 - SSEA-4

CD10 - Neutral endopeptidase

AlkPhos Alkaline Phosphatase

Germ Layer Lineage Markers

CD90

Thy-1

Ectodermal Markers

CD56 - Neural cell adhesion molecule

Pax-6 - Neurogenic lineage

FORSE-1 - Neuronal precursor cells

Vimentin - Cells of neurogenic lineage

Nestin - Cells of neurogenic lineage

R401 - Nestin-neuronal lineage

HNES - Nestin-neuronal lineage

MAB353 - Nestin-neuronal lineage

RT-97 - Neurofilaments = neurons

NF68 - Neurofilament-68 = neurons

S-100 - Neurofilament-100 = neurons

NF145 - Neurofilament-145 = neurons

N-200 - Neurofilament-200 = neurons

8A2 - Neurons

NG2 – Neurons

TH - Tyrosine hydroxylase, precursor to neural transmitters

SV2 - Synaptic vesicles

DOPA - Dopamine, neural transmitter of dopaminergic neurons

T8660 - Beta-tubulin-III

Tuj1 - Beta-tubulin-III

GFAP - Glial-fibrillary acidic protein

CNPase - Glial cells = oligodendrocytes & astrocytes

Rip - Oligodendrocytes

MOSP - Oligodendrocytes specific protein

MAB - Oligodendrocytes marker

40E-C - Radial cells and radial glial cells

VM-1 - Keratinocytes

References:

Cell Biochem Biophys, 40(1):1-80, 2004

MOJ Orthop Rheumatol 1(4):19-39, 2014

Or if you prefer I could send you the references in the form of PDFs.

Take care.