The present invention is directed to methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods of characterization of cells differentiated into cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage utilizing unique surface markers. The present invention also provides methods to enrich or sort cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage. The present invention also provides methods to deplete cells that may contaminate populations of cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage formed by the methods of the present invention, thereby reducing the incidence of tumor formation in vivo following transplantation.
