Characterization of the phenotypic features, immuno-modulatory properties and therapeutic potentials of wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Abstract

The Wharton’s jelly (WJ) of the umbilical cord has been identified as a rich source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which are considered as promising candidates for stem cell-based therapy to treat several diseases. In particular, MSCs harvested from the “young” WJ are believed to be more proliferative, immunosuppressive and therapeutically active stem cells than those derived from adult tissues, such as the bone marrow or adipose. MSCs derived from WJ also exhibit transplantable features such as ease of sourcing, in vitro expandability, differentiation capacities, immune-evasion and immune-regulation profiles. Indeed, the potentiality of WJ-derived stem cells to treat cancer, cardiovascular and liver diseases, and nerve and cartilage tendon injuries has been suggested. In this paper, we present an overview of the phenotypic characteristics, immune-modulatory properties and therapeutic potentials of WJ-derived stem cells, and suggest optimization protocols for successful advancement of WJ-derived stem cells into clinical use.