Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Stem Cell-Derived Vascularized Organoids and Optimized Isolation of Wharton's Jelly for Enhanced MSC Production
Published on: July 5, 2024
Human Wharton's Jelly-Cellular Specificity, Stemness Potency, Animal Models, and Current Application in Human
Katarzyna Stefańska1, Katarzyna Ożegowska2, Greg Hutchings3,4
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland.
Abstract:
Stem cell therapies offer a great promise for regenerative and reconstructive medicine, due to their self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Although embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, their utilization involves embryo destruction and is ethically controversial. Therefore, adult tissues that have emerged as an alternative source of stem cells and perinatal tissues, such as the umbilical cord, appear to be particularly attractive. Wharton's jelly, a gelatinous connective tissue contained in the umbilical cord, is abundant in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that express CD105, CD73, CD90, Oct-4, Sox-2, and Nanog among others, and have the ability to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and other lineages. Moreover, Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) do not express MHC-II and exhibit immunomodulatory properties, which makes them a good alternative for allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantations in cellular therapies. Therefore, umbilical cord, especially Wharton's jelly, is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells.
Related Concept Videos
Adult Stem Cells
Stem Cell Culture
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
Embryonic Stem Cells
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...

