3D Decellularized Native Extracellular Matrix Scaffold for In Vitro Culture Expansion of Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hWJ MSCs).

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from Wharton's jelly tissue of the human umbilical cord. Given appropriate culture conditions, these cells can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types across the lineages. Among the properties exhibited by these cells, immunomodulation through secretion of trophic factors has been widely exploited in a broad spectrum of preclinical/clinical regenerative applications. Moreover, the extracellular matrix is found to play a major role apart from niche cells in determining stem cell fate including that of MSCs. Therefore, the currently employed technique of two-dimensional culture expansion can alter the inherent properties of naïve MSCs originally residing within the three-dimensional space. This limitation can be overcome to some extent by using native extracellular matrix scaffold culture system which mimics the in situ microenvironment. In this chapter, we have elucidated the protocol for the preparation of a native extracellular matrix scaffold by decellularization of the MSC sheet and thereof culture expansion and characterization of human Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs.