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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2014; 6(2): 195-202
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.195
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.195
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Their advantages and potential clinical utility
Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue, Haiping He, Department of Cell Processing and Transfusion, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
Haiping He, Division of Molecular of Therapy, Center for Advanced Medical Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
Author contributions: Both authors contributed to this work.
Correspondence to: Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue, MD, PhD, Department of Cell Processing and Transfusion, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan. tokikoni@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-3-54495688 Fax: +81-3-5449 5438
Received: October 31, 2013
Revised: January 21, 2014
Accepted: February 20, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Revised: January 21, 2014
Accepted: February 20, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Human umbilical cord (UC) is a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). UC-MSCs have shown the ability of faster self-renewal and to differentiate into three germ layers, to accumulate in damaged tissue or inflamed regions, to promote tissue repair, and to modulate immune response. There are diverse protocols and culture methods for the isolation of MSCs from the various compartments of UC, such as Wharton’s jelly, vein, arteries, UC lining membrane and subamnion and perivascular regions. In this review, we introduce various compartments of UC and discuss the potential clinical utility of UC-MSCs for regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.