Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
04:47
Isolation of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with High Yields and Low Damage
Published on: July 5, 2024
Umbilical cord as a mesenchymal stem cell source for treating joint pathologies
Maria Carmen Arufe1, Alexandre De la Fuente, Isaac Fuentes
1María Carmen Arufe, Alexandre De la Fuente, Department of Medicine, Area of Anatomy and Human Embryology, Campus Oza s/n, Fac. of Health Science, University of A Coruña, 15006 A Coruña, Spain.
World Journal of Orthopedics
|April 5, 2012
Summary
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord stroma offer a promising solution for regenerating damaged articular cartilage. Their differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties make them ideal for allogeneic cell therapy in joint repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Articular cartilage injuries cause chronic pain and reduced quality of life.
- Cartilage regeneration remains a significant challenge in biomedical research.
- Current cell-based therapies often rely on autologous chondrocytes with limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord stroma for treating joint pathologies.
- To highlight MSCs as a viable alternative for articular cartilage repair.
- To discuss the advantages of allogeneic MSC-based therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on MSCs from umbilical cord stroma.
- Focus on MSC differentiation capabilities into chondrocytes.
- Analysis of MSC immunosuppressive properties for allogeneic transplantation.
Main Results:
- MSCs exhibit excellent proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation potential.
- Human MSCs possess immunosuppressive properties, suitable for allogeneic cell therapy.
- Allogeneic MSCs can be banked for readily available cell replacement therapy.
Conclusions:
- Umbilical cord-derived MSCs are a promising cell source for articular cartilage regeneration.
- Allogeneic MSC therapy offers a potential alternative to current grafting procedures for joint defects.
- Further research into MSC applications for joint pathologies is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:20Embryonic Connective Tissues
During early development, the embryo forms two types of connective tissues— the mesenchyme and mucoid connective tissue.
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development. Mesenchyme is...
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development. Mesenchyme is...
01:33Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:07Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...