Phenotype and Differentiation Potential of Stromal Populations Obtained from Various Zones of Human Umbilical Cord: An Overview

Fibroblast-like cells with properties similar to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are present in human umbilical cord (hUC). In accordance with the international minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, hUC cells are designed MSCs being plastic adherent, positive to specific non hematopoietic lineage biomarkers, able to be both in vitro long term cultured and differentiated into osteoblasts, chondroblasts and adipocytes. In this review, a panoramic view of phenotypic characteristics of hUC cells derived from various UC parts are described. The high heterogeneity of extraction, culture and analysis procedures hinder the ability to precisely identify UC stromal cells. As a result, different phenotypic profiles are detectable not only among the cells obtained from the various parts of cord, but also inside the same UC regions, suggesting that UC-MSCs may represent an unique cell family whose components present various degree of stemness. However, in vitro and in vivo evidence indicates Wharton's jelly as the best source of MSCs, because its cells present a wide range of potential therapeutic applications.