title: Derivation efficiency, cell proliferation, freeze-thaw survival, stem-cell properties and differentiation of human Wharton's jelly stem cells.
abstract: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are non-controversial multipotent stem cells. Their presence in umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been debated in some studies and others report low counts per cord blood unit and poor proliferation rates. On the other hand, Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cords appears to be a rich source of human MSC. This study derived 13 human Wharton's jelly stem cell (WJSC) lines from 13 human umbilical cords (100%) and recovered 4.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(6) live WJSC/cm of cord before culture. Complex culture medium produced greater proliferation rates of the WJSC in culture compared with simple medium. The mean population doubling times were 24.47 +/- 0.33 to 26.25 +/- 0.50 h in complex medium. The stem-cell markers of the WJSC were retained for at least 10 passages in both media. After programmed machine freezing, the thaw-survival rates of WJSC were 85-90% and they could be differentiated into neurons. Given the high derivation efficiency, availability of large numbers of fresh live cells, high expansion capabilities, prolonged maintenance of stem-cell properties and differentiation potential, it is proposed that human WJSC may be frozen at the same time as UCB in cord blood banks for regenerative medicine purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge 119074, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chui-Yee
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Arjunan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Arijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Kalamegam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gauthaman
authors.forename: Prarthana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Srikanth
authors.forename: Manoor Prakash
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hande
authors.forename: Ariff
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bongso
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation; D015925:Cryopreservation; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase