Cord lining

MSC from the sub-epithelial region of the cord lining can be expanded in-vitro for more than 30 passages or 90 population doublings without losing their multi-lineage differentiation capability or going into senescence.

[5] Pre-clinical studies performed on the cord lining MSC have revealed their potential in repairing heart muscle damage due to ischemia.

A study performed in the rat model showed improved heart function and reduction of damaged myocardium when cord lining MSC combined with a fibrin gel carrier and a vascularized graft were introduced to the ischaemic area.

[6] A similar study combining the cord lining MSC with carrier endothelial cells within a fibrin matrix in-vivo also revealed improvement in cardiac function, reduction in scar tissue formation and better vascularization.

[8] Furthermore, due to their similarity in terms of phenotypic expression of keratins compared to normal human epidermal keratinocytes, cord lining EpSC have the potential to be an alternative source of cells for skin repair and regeneration.

A histological cross section of the umbilical cord showing the umbilical cord lining membrane.
Dissection of the umbilical cord to demonstrate the cord lining membrane (held up with forceps). Umbilical cord vessels and Wharton's Jelly have been dissected free.