Perinatal sources of mesenchymal stem cells: Wharton’s jelly, amnion and chorion

Abstract

Recently, stem cell biology has become an interesting topic, especially in the context of treating diseases and injuries using transplantation therapy. Several varieties of human stem cells have been isolated and identified in vivo and in vitro. Ideally, stem cells for regenerative medical application should be found in abundant quantities, harvestable in a minimally invasive procedure, then safely and effectively transplanted to either an autologous or allogenic host. The two main groups of stem cells, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells, have been expanded to include perinatal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells from perinatal tissue may be particularly useful in the clinic for autologous transplantation for fetuses and newborns, and after banking in later stages of life, as well as for in utero transplantation in case of genetic disorders.This review highlights the characteristics and therapeutic potential of three human mesenchymal stem cell types obtained from perinatal sources: Wharton’s jelly, the amnion, and the chorion.

Human adipose-derived stem cells for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage in rats via femoral intravenous injection

“…In four to five days, adhering spindle shape fibroblast-like cells resembling MSCs [28] began to appear. Supplemental Fig.…”

Exploring the Human Term Placenta as a Novel Source for Stem Cells and their Application in the Clinic

“…This can be used to isolate amniotic fluid MSC (AF-MSC) for genetic screening purposes. It has been found that amniotic fluid contains a heterogeneous population of many cells including a large portion of epithelioid E-type cells, amniotic fluid-specific AF-type cells and fibroblast F-type cells (Witkowska-Zimny andWrobel, 2011, Prusa andHengstschlager, 2002). Although many cell types exist within the amniotic fluid, MSC have been found.…”

“…It has been estimated that approximately 1% of cells in culture obtained from human amniocentesis are MSC. Only a few studies have successfully isolated single cell-derived MSC clones from amniotic fluid (Tsai et al, 2004, De Coppi et al, 2007, Antonucci et al, 2009, Phermthai et al, 2010, Witkowska-Zimny and Wrobel, 2011.…”

“…Moreover, it has also been reported these cells have a high proliferative potential with over 250 population doublings without doubling time changes and can be differentiated into endodermal and ectodermal lineages in vitro. Although these properties seem theoretically more advantageous, it is debatable whether amniotic fluid is a practical and reliable source for generating MSC on a regular basis for clinical trials (Tsai et al, 2004, De Coppi et al, 2007, Antonucci et al, 2009, Phermthai et al, 2010, Witkowska-Zimny and Wrobel, 2011.…”

“…Once these totipotent cells begin to divide, they give rise to the embryo and placenta. At the 32-cell stage of the embryo, known as the morula, the cells have lost their totipotency and are pluripotent (Mitalipov andWolf, 2009, Witkowska-Zimny andWrobel, 2011). These pluripotent cells contribute to all three germ layers in the developing embryo, the endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm.…”