The benefits attributed to mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) in cell therapy applications are mainly attributed to the secretion of factors, which exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and stimulate angiogenesis. Despite the desirable features such as high proliferation levels, multipotency, and immune response regulation, there are important variables that must be considered. Although presenting similar morphological aspects, MSC collected from different tissues can form heterogeneous cellular populations and, therefore, manifest functional differences. Thus, the source of MSC should be a factor to be considered in the development of novel therapies. The following text presents an updated review of recent research outcomes related to Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (WJ-MSC), harvested from umbilical cords and considered novel and potential candidates for the development of cell-based approaches. This text highlights information on how WJ-MSC affect immune responses in comparison with other sources of MSC.
Objective To follow the expansion of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords by two classic senescence markers, p16 (INK4A) and p21 (CDKN1A), using practical, fast, and less expensive methods than the gold standard Western blotting technique, to evaluate its applicability in the laboratory. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords were isolated from Wharton’s jelly and, after quality control, morphological and immunophenotypic characterization by flow cytometry, were expanded in culture until coming close to cell cycle arrest (replicative senescence). Results A comparison was made between young cells, at passage 5, and pre-senescent cells, at passage 10, evaluating the protein expression of the classic cell senescence markers p16 and p21, comparing the results obtained by Western blotting with those obtained by flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence. Conclusion Follow-up of cell cultures, through indirect p16 immunofluorescence, allows the identification of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord cultures at risk of reaching replicative senescence.
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