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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Umbilical Cord and Fetal Placenta
Published on: April 3, 2017
Fetal mesenchymal stem cells: isolation, properties and potential use in perinatology and regenerative medicine
L Gucciardo1, R Lories, N Ochsenbein-Kölble
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
The fetus is a source of nonembryonic stem cells (SC), with potential applications in perinatal medicine. Cells derived from the placenta, membranes, amniotic fluid or fetal tissues are higher in number, expansion potential and differentiation abilities compared with SC from adult tissues. Although some obstacles keep SC biology at distance from clinical application, the feasibility of using (homologous) SC for tissue engineering for the fetus with a congenital birth defect has been demonstrated. Also, other pathologies may benefit from SC technology.
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