Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord.

Area of Science:

• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess multipotent differentiation capabilities.
• Identifying alternative, accessible sources of human MSCs is crucial for research and clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord tissue.
• To evaluate the potential of umbilical cord-derived MSCs for experimental and clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and culture of human MSCs from umbilical cord tissue.
• Morphological, immunophenotypic (flow cytometry), cytogenetic, and cell cycle analyses.
• In vitro differentiation assays (osteogenic and adipogenic).

Main Results:

• Fibroblast-like MSCs were successfully isolated and maintained characteristics for over 26 passages.
• Cells expressed MSC markers (CD29, CD44, CD95, CD105, HLA-I) and lacked hematopoietic markers.
• Normal karyotype, high G0/G1 phase percentage, and demonstrated osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential.

Conclusions:

• Human umbilical cord is a viable source for isolating multipotent MSCs.
• These MSCs retain their characteristics and differentiation capacity over extended culture periods.
• Umbilical cord-derived MSCs represent a promising alternative for regenerative medicine and clinical applications.