Human umbilical cord stem cells – the discovery, history and possible application

Abstract

Stem cells are now one of the most extensively studied fields in experimental medicine. Although embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the capability to differentiate into lineages derived from all three primary germ layers, their use remains ethically controversial. Mesenchymal stromal cells’ (MSCs) utilization is not burdened with such concerns. MSCs were primarily characterized as fibroblastic cells from bone marrow stroma, with the ability to adhere to plastic and form clonogenic colonies (CFU-Fs – colony-forming unit-fibroblasts). Subsequent studies led to their isolation from various other adult or perinatal tissues, including the umbilical cord. Although in most cases MSCs are obtained from umbilical cords’ stroma (Wharton’s jelly), it has been demonstrated that both cord’s lining and endothelial layer of umbilical vein possess the cells that fulfill the minimal criteria for MSCs published in 2006 by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Since the initial discovery, a number of pre-clinical and clinical studies were conducted with the use of MSCs derived from umbilical cords, targeting diseases such as cancer or autoimmune diseases. Moreover, their secretome may be even more beneficial, providing an opportunity to create cell-free therapies.Running title: The history of human umbilical cord stem cells

Expression Profile of New Marker Genes Involved in Differentiation of Canine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Osteoblasts

“…Adult progenitor cells, such as those derived from the bone marrow, have been effectively used in treatment of hematopoiesis-associated diseases (e.g., leukemia) since the 1970s [9,10]. Adult stem cells present a range of advantages over their pluripotent counterparts, such as their ready availability in the adult organism, a narrowed range of differentiation lineages, limiting the possibility of malignant development after implantation, and the possibility of collection without major surgical procedures [11][12][13][14][15]. Furthermore, a significant amount of recent research, especially regarding the treatment of bone-and cartilage-related diseases, focuses on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) [1,16,17].…”

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human and Animal Perinatal Tissues—Origins, Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Clinical Trials

“…In addition, umbilical cord MSCs express the NANOG, Rex-1, and Sox-2 pluripotency gens. However, the expression of Oct-3/4, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, STRO-1, Tra-1-60, and Tra-1-81 is uncertain due to the contrary results of previous studies [ 208 , 209 , 210 , 211 ]. Similar to other subpopulations of perinatal MSCs, umbilical cord-derived MSCs possess high plasticity, and, under specific environmental conditions, could differentiate into all germ layer derivatives [ 227 , 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 ].…”

The Truth Is Out There: Biological Features and Clinical Indications of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Perinatal Stem Cells

“…In the literature, it has also been reported that hUC-WJ-MSCs express TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA-1, and SSEA-4, even if their expression is questionable due to the discordant and uncertain results. As pluripotent stem cell markers, hUC-WJ-MSCs feature NANOG, Rex-1, and Sox-2 [133][134][135][136]. Like other populations of perinatal MSCs, UC-MSCs can differentiate into cells belonging to all germ layer derivatives [137,138].…”