Morpho-functional characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood for potential uses in regenerative medicine

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising source of progenitor cells having the potential to repair and to regenerate diseased or damaged skeletal tissues. Bone marrow (BM) has been the first source reported to contain MSCs. However, BM-derived cells are not always acceptable, due to the highly invasive drawing and the decline in MSC number and differentiative capability with increasing age. Human umbilical cord blood (UCB), obtainable by donation with a noninvasive method, has been introduced as an alternative source of MSCs. Here human UCB-derived MSCs isolation and morpho-functional characterization are reported. Human UCB-derived mononuclear cells, obtained by negative immunoselection, exhibited either an osteoclast-like or a mesenchymal-like phenotype. However, we were able to obtain homogeneous populations of MSCs that displayed a fibroblast-like morphology, expressed mesenchym-related antigens and showed differentiative capacities along osteoblastic and early chondroblastic lineages. Furthermore, this study is one among a few papers investigating human UCB-derived MSC growth and differentiation on three-dimensional scaffolds focusing on their potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. UCB-derived MSCs were proved to grow on biodegradable microfiber meshes; additionally, they were able to differentiate toward mature osteoblasts when cultured inside human plasma clots, suggesting their potential application in orthopedic surgery.