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Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants
Published on: January 26, 2019
Term vs. preterm cord blood cells for the prevention of preterm brain injury
Jingang Li1, Tamara Yawno1, Amy Sutherland1
1The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Umbilical cord blood cells from preterm and term infants both protect against white matter brain injury in preterm newborns. These cells reduce inflammation, but use different mechanisms to achieve neuroprotection.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Neuroprotection
Background:
- White matter brain injury in preterm infants leads to neurodevelopmental deficits.
- Umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells show neuroprotective potential.
- Efficacy of preterm cord blood (PCB) vs. term cord blood (TCB) cells for neuroprotection is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of TCB and PCB cells in reducing white matter injury in preterm fetal sheep models.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of neuroprotection offered by TCB and PCB cells.
Main Methods:
- Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) was induced in fetal sheep at 0.7 gestation.
- Allogeneic UCB cells (TCB or PCB) or saline were administered 12 hours post-HI.
- Brain tissue was collected 10 days post-HI for neuropathological assessment.
Main Results:
- HI induced significant white matter damage, including cell death and microgliosis.
- Both TCB and PCB cell administration normalized white matter density and reduced injury markers.
- PCB cells inhibited TNF-α, while TCB cells increased IL-10; TCB cells also reduced oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Both TCB and PCB cells effectively reduce preterm hypoxia-ischemia-induced white matter injury.
- The primary neuroprotective mechanism for both cell types is anti-inflammatory.
- TCB and PCB cells employ distinct secondary mechanisms for neuroprotection.
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDWhite matter brain injury in preterm infants can induce neurodevelopmental deficits. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells demonstrate neuroprotective properties, but it is unknown whether cells obtained from preterm cord blood (PCB) vs. term cord blood (TCB) have similar efficacy. This study compared the ability of TCB vs. PCB cells to reduce white matter injury in preterm fetal sheep.METHODSHypoxia-ischemia (HI) was induced in fetal sheep (0.7 gestation) by 25 min umbilical cord occlusion. Allogeneic UCB cells from term or preterm sheep, or saline, were administered to the fetus at 12 h after HI. The fetal brain was collected at 10-day post HI for assessment of white matter neuropathology.RESULTSHI (n=7) induced cell death and microglial activation and reduced total oligodendrocytes and CNPase+myelin protein in the periventricular white matter and internal capsule when compared with control (n=10). Administration of TCB or PCB cells normalized white matter density and reduced cell death and microgliosis (P<0.05). PCB prevented upregulation of plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, whereas TCB increased anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 (P<0.05). TCB, but not PCB, reduced circulating oxidative stress.CONCLUSIONSTCB and PCB cells reduced preterm HI-induced white matter injury, primarily via anti-inflammatory actions. The secondary mechanisms of neuroprotection appear different following TCB vs. PCB administration.
