Transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton's jelly after complete transection of the rat spinal cord.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) isolated from Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord can be easily obtained and processed compared with embryonic or bone marrow stem cells. These cells may be a valuable source in the repair of spinal cord injury.

Methodology/principal findings

We examine the effects of HUMSC transplantation after complete spinal cord transection in rats. Approximately 5x10(5) HUMSCs were transplanted into the lesion site. Three groups of rats were implanted with either untreated HUMSCs (referred to as the stem cell group), or HUMSCs treated with neuronal conditioned medium (NCM) for either three days or six days (referred to as NCM-3 and NCM-6 days, respectively). The control group received no HUMSCs in the transected spinal cord. T

SUBMITTER: Yang CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2566594 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature