Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells capable of differentiating into various cell types while maintaining a high capacity for self-renewal.

Origin and Differentiation Potential of MSCs

Scientists first isolated MSCs from bone marrow due to their ability to differentiate from the mesoderm. Still, they now obtain them from numerous tissues, including adipose tissue, umbilical cord, lungs, and tendons. These cells can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, neurons, hepatocytes, and pancreatic cells in vivo.

Role in Tissue Repair and Regeneration

MSCs are crucial in regenerating or repairing damaged tissues by replacing cells that routinely die. Many stem cells reside in most tissues post-development, ready to activate and restore when needed, thus maintaining a healthy organism.

Key Characteristics and Potential in Regenerative Medicine

MSCs possess significant potential for regenerative medicine applications due to their:

• High Expansion and Differentiation Capacity: MSCs easily renew and can differentiate into various cell types, such as bone, adipose, and cartilage cells.
• Tissue Regeneration Capability: They aid in wound healing, prevent cell death, and promote the formation of new blood vessels.
• Modulation of Adverse Reactions: MSCs have been observed to modulate adverse reactions in various diseases, particularly degenerative and autoimmune conditions.

Advantages of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

MSCs are quickly isolated and maintain their ability to expand over long periods without losing their characteristics, making them ideal for laboratory work. Depending on the culture conditions, they can transdifferentiate from mesoderm to ectoderm and endoderm. Researchers achieve this in vitro differentiation using appropriate culture media. Furthermore, MSCs have immunomodulatory properties, secreting cytokines and receptors that modify the host’s immune microenvironment. These properties differentiate MSCs from other stem cells, making them promising for cellular therapy and chronic disease treatment (neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and cardiovascular).

Umbilical Cord Tissue: A Vital Source of MSCs

The umbilical cord, composed of two arteries and a vein, is a rich source of young MSCs, especially in the Wharton’s jelly surrounding the blood vessels. Collecting a portion of the umbilical tissue at birth, along with the cord blood, provides an additional tool for future use.

Cryopreservation of Umbilical Cord Tissue

Upon arrival at the laboratory, technicians section the tissue to maximize contact with the cryoprotective medium, facilitating comprehensive cryoprotection. If needed, cryopreserved samples are thawed. Researchers perform a subsequent process to separate, culture, and grow the MSCs to an optimal number for use.

Expanded MSC Cryopreservation

After collecting the umbilical cord tissue, the best sample sections are processed. This is to obtain the highest quantity and quality of MSCs. Strict microbiological controls ensure the samples are contamination-free. The selected fragments undergo cellular expansion in a suitable medium, cultivated in special incubators for 60-90 days, with daily monitoring until the MSCs reach an optimal state and quantity for storage. Unlike tissue storage, this method allows for isolated cell preservation, ensuring optimal cryoprotectant penetration and better preservation conditions.

We invite you to learn more about stem cells in our article, What are Stem Cells?