Although embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, their utilization involves embryo destruction and is ethically controversial. Therefore, adult tissues that have emerged as an alternative source of stem cells and perinatal tissues, such as the umbilical cord, appear to be particularly attractive. Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous connective tissue contained in the umbilical cord, is abundant in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that express CD105, CD73, CD90, Oct-4, Sox-2, and Nanog among others, and have the ability to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and other lineages. Moreover, Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) do not express MHC-II and exhibit immunomodulatory properties, which makes them a good alternative for allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantations in cellular therapies. Therefore, umbilical cord, especially Wharton’s jelly, is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells.
Although MSCs have been isolated from various compartments of the umbilical cord, Wharton’s jelly seems to be the best source of clinically utilizable stem cells [16]. The histological structure of the umbilical cord, Wharton’s jelly-derived MSC (WJ-MSC) stemness properties, as well as the animal studies and clinical trials with their utilization are also important considerations.
Similar to the cells obtained from other parts of the umbilical cord, umbilical epithelial cells exhibit properties characteristic for mesenchymal stem cells, such as the expression of Oct- 4, Nanog, SSEA-4 (Stage-specific embryonic antigen 4), CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 (Endoglin), and others, as well as the ability to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages.
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