Stability Characteristic of Cryopreserved Human Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly–Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Background & Aim Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent mesodermal linage derived stem cells that can self–replicate and differentiate into all mesodermal, some of neuroectodermal and hepatic endodermal progenies. Umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly MSCs (WJ–MSCs) are an attractive source for cell–based therapy regenerative medicine due to the stability in large scale expansion, non–tumor formation and low immunological rejection. Therefore, WJ–MSCs are a superior banking MSCs source for further clinical application. Methods, Results & Conclusion WJ–MSCs were isolated at a 100% successful rate and characterized by flow cytometry for CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD106 and STRO–1. Growth kinetics characteristics were investigated by population doublings (PD), clinical large–scale expansion and high viability maintenance. MSCs were assessed for differentiation potential to cartilage, adipose and bone. Flow cytometry analysis showed no differences in expression of CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD106 and STRO–1 among all cryopreserved WJ–MSCs for six years (2013–2018: n=30). All years of cryopreserved WJ–MSCs maintained high proliferative potential with no difference in all passages. Moreover, they were capable to differentiate into cartilage, adipose and bone structures as determined with histochemistry. WJ–MSCs have a high potential for stem cell banking from umbilical cord due to its noninvasive techniques of procurement, high successful isolation rate and low risk microorganism contamination. Furthermore, WJ–MSCs are suitable sources of stem cells for potential use in regenerative medicine in further clinical applications.