The first anti-human CD34 antibody was used to enrich human progenitor cells by using bone Marrow cells. 87 CD34-cells have been shown to have SCID-repopulating cells. A recent study has also revealed that CD34-CD38 CD93 high cells can self-renew and can be placed above CD34+ cells in hematopoietic hierarchy.

CD 34 antigen can be found in bone marrow-derived EPCs (epithelial progenitor cells) in humans. Non-specific adsorption is minimal in vascular grafts that have been immobilized with anti CD34 antigen. This increases the formation of mature endothelium, and reduces restenosis. 

Hydrophobins can be made by filamentous fungi. They can self-assemble to transform a surface from hydrophilic and hydrophobic, and vice versa. The anti-CD31 antibody was immobilized to vascular transplants using HFBI (class 2 hydrophobins), which binds platelet endothelial cells adhesion molecule-1(PECAM1/CD31), an EC-specific marker.

The human CD34 antibody, which is a 105-120 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein, reacts to the 581 antibody. It can be found on most human hematopoietic and progenitor cell surfaces (HSPCs), mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic fibroblasts as well as some tumor cell lines. CD34 is only expressed briefly during hematopoiesis.

Therefore, CD34 cells are very rare in bone marrow and cord blood (1 to 5%), and very low in peripheral blood. CD34 is a marker that can be used to identify and isolate HSPCs that are capable of cell engraftment. CD34 is believed to mediate the attachment of stem cells to bone marrow extracellular matter or directly to stromal cells during early hematopoiesis.