Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Wharton's Jelly of the Human Umbilical Cord: Biological Properties and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are a class of stem cells with high differentiative potential, an immuno-privileged status and easy access for collection, which raise no legal or ethical issues. WJ-MSCs exhibit several features of embryonic stem cells, both in the phenotypic and genetic aspects, with only a few differences, such as a shorter doubling time and a more extensive ex vivo expansion capacity. WJ-MSCs have immunomodulatory properties, involving both innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on the role of WJ-MSCs in the management of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a life-threatening complication of the allogenic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. Different studies documented the beneficial effect of the infusion of WJ-MSCs, even when not fully HLA identical, in patients with severe GvHD, refractory to standard treatment. Finally, we summarized current ongoing clinical trials with WJ-MSCs and their potential in regenerative medicine.

Keywords: GvHD; Human umbilical cord blood; Immunomodulation; Mesenchymal stem cells; WJ-MSCs.

Fig. 1

MSCs mediate immunosuppression of B, T and Natural Killer (NK) cells via different mechanisms. Soluble factors secreted by MSCs such as IDO, PGE2, sHLA-G5 can suppress T and NK cell functions. In addition, MSCs can indirectly mediate immunosuppression by inhibiting dendritic cells (DCs) and inducing the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs).