Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2011 Sep;6(3):221-8. doi: 10.2174/157488811796575332.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), have been defined and characterized by: 1) their ability to adhere to plastic culture flasks; 2) the positive expression of CD105, CD73, CD90 membrane antigens, and the lack of expression of others (e.g CD45 and CD34) and 3) the ability of differentiation under adequate conditions along the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. In recent years cells with these characteristics have been isolated from the Wharton Jelly (WJ) of the Umbilical Cord (UC). Similarly to bone marrow MSCs they have shown multilineage differentiation potential and to be able to provide trophic support to neighboring cells. According to the literature, there are two main populations of cells with a mesenchymal character within the human UC: Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) and Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells (HUCPVCs). In the present work our aim is to make a comprehensive review on MSCs populations of the WJ and how these cell populations may be used for future applications in CNS regenerative medicine. Following a brief insight on the general characteristics of MSC like cells, we will discuss the possible sources of stem cells within the WJ and the cord itself (apart UC blood), as well as their phenotypic character. As it has already been shown that these cells hold a strong trophic support to neighbouring cell populations, we will then focus on their secretome, namely which molecules have already been identified within it and their role in phenomena such as immunomodulation. The possible applications of these cells populations to CNS regenerative medicine will be addressed by critically reviewing the work that has been performed so far in this field. Finally, a brief insight will be made on what in the authors' opinion are the major challenges in the field for the future application of these cell populations in CNS regenerative medicine.
间充质干细胞（MSCs）的定义和特征为：1）其在塑料培养瓶上黏附的能力；2）膜抗原 CD105、CD73、CD90 的阳性表达，以及其他抗原（如 CD45 和 CD34）的缺乏表达；3）在适当条件下沿着成骨、软骨和成脂谱系分化的能力。近年来，具有这些特征的细胞已从脐带华通氏胶（Wharton Jelly，WJ）中分离出来。与骨髓间充质干细胞相似，它们具有多能分化潜能，并能够为邻近细胞提供营养支持。根据文献报道，人脐带中有两种主要的间充质细胞群体：华通氏胶间充质干细胞（Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells，WJ-MSCs）和人脐带血管周细胞（Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells，HUCPVCs）。在本工作中，我们的目的是对 WJ 中的 MSC 群体进行全面综述，并探讨这些细胞群体如何用于中枢神经系统再生医学的未来应用。在简要介绍 MSC 样细胞的一般特征后，我们将讨论 WJ 和脐带本身（除 UC 血液外）中干细胞的可能来源及其表型特征。由于已经证明这些细胞对邻近细胞群体具有强大的营养支持作用，我们将重点讨论它们的分泌组，即已经在其中鉴定出的分子及其在免疫调节等现象中的作用。通过批判性地回顾该领域迄今为止的工作，将探讨这些细胞群体在中枢神经系统再生医学中的可能应用。最后，简要探讨作者认为该领域未来应用这些细胞群体治疗中枢神经系统再生医学的主要挑战。
