Factors influencing yield and neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood and matrix.

Aim: Umbilical cord blood and Wharton's jelly (WJ) are potential sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We investigated whether harvesting and donor characteristics affected yield and neuronal differentiation, and compared human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and WJ-derived MSCs regarding neuronal differentiation and cytokine secretion. Materials & methods: MSCs were analyzed by immunoblotting after seven days of differentiation; cytokine protein arrays were used to analyze conditioned medium. Results: Birth weight and blood/anticoagulant ratio influenced MSC yield per unit blood volume, but not maternal and gestational age, delivery mode or fetal gender. Expression of the early neuronal differentiation marker nestin was unaffected by these variables. hUCB- and WJ-derived MSC secrete distinct cytokine profiles. Conclusion: Cell yield is affected by certain donor characteristics. hUCB- and WJ-derived MSCs may serve distinct therapeutic niches.