Mesenchymal cells make up the structural element of organs. Mesenchymal stem cells can be differentiated into cells of the deep layer of skin (dermis), cartilage cells, fat cells, bone cells, muscle cells and tendon cells.
Cord Lining Mesenchymal Cells come from the deeper layers of the cord lining and have been morphed (or differentiated) into
1) Fat Cells, which can be used for surgical reconstruction (e.g. after post traumatic contour defects).
A paper has been written to describe that fat cells generated from Cord Lining Mesenchymal Cells can be used as a very useful experimental platform for the investigation of the cellular basis of obesity, which remains an area of intense research and development.
Publication: Cheong HH, Masilamani J, Phan TT, Chan SY. Cord lining progenitor cells: potential in vitro adipogenesis model. Intl J Obes. 2010 Nov; (34)11: 1625-1633
2) Cartilage Cells, which can be used to repair and resurface joints in patients where the joint cartilage has been damaged (Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis).
3) Bone Cells, which can be used for repair of bone defects after tumour or trauma.
4) Nerve Cells, which can be used to replace injured nerves, support the growth of new nerves, or produce nerve substances that are lacking (e.g. dopamine in patients with Parkinson’s disease).
Cord Lining Mesenchymal Cells Differentiated into Fat, Cartilage, Bone and Nerve Cells
Yield
There are 20 million EpSC and 20 million MSC explanted per square centimetre of cord lining membrane. The average cord (330 square cm) yields 6 billion EpSC and 6 billion MSC at first growth (Passage 1). Our team of researchers have achieved Passage 30 with no change in cell stemness. Phenotype and karyotype also remained unchanged. This means that the potential is an incredible 6 Billion to the power of 30 EpSC and MSC harvested from a single umbilical cord
How does this compare to other sources of Mesenchymal and Epithelial stem cells?
Bone Marrow (Adult Stem Cells): 1 MSC per 10,000 to 100,000 cells aspirated
Adipose (Fat) (Adult Stem Cells): 1 MSC per 100,000 cells aspirated
Placenta: Tissue easily contaminated during processing with high numbers of cell loss
Wharton’s Jelly: Variable cell numbers depending on quantity of WJ obtained from the cord