Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are isolated from fresh (up to 6 hours) umbilical cords. Cells have a normal karyotype and a population doubling time of 26h. They adhere to plastic surfaces and show a typical mesenchymal morphology, with a polygonal-shaped appearance or spindly with a long process. UC-MSCs express mesenchymal antigens and lack hematopoietic markers. Cells can undergo osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) were derived from fresh umbilical cords that were processed within 6h from collection time. Cords were washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with penicillin and streptomycin and cord blood was removed. The remaining cords were cut and incubated for 10 days in low-glucose Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM-LG) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS, 10%), horse serum (HS, 5%), penicillin and streptomycin. Medium was changed every 3 days. Developed colonies of fibroblasts were trypsinized and passaged every 4-6 days.