Human umbilical cord stem cells – the discovery, history and possible application

Stem cells are now one of the most extensively studied fields in experimental medicine. Although embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the capability to differentiate into lineages derived from all three primary germ layers, their use remains ethically controversial. Mesenchymal stromal cells’ (MSCs) utilization is not burdened with such concerns. MSCs were primarily characterized as fibroblastic cells from bone marrow stroma, with the ability to adhere to plastic and form clonogenic colonies (CFU-Fs – colony-forming unit-fibroblasts). Subsequent studies led to their isolation from various other adult or perinatal tissues, including the umbilical cord. Although in most cases MSCs are obtained from umbilical cords’ stroma (Wharton’s jelly), it has been demonstrated that both cord’s lining and endothelial layer of umbilical vein possess the cells that fulfill the minimal criteria for MSCs published in 2006 by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Since the initial discovery, a number of pre-clinical and clinical studies were conducted with the use of MSCs derived from umbilical cords, targeting diseases such as cancer or autoimmune diseases. Moreover, their secretome may be even more beneficial, providing an opportunity to create cell-free therapies.

Running title: The history of human umbilical cord stem cells