Wharton’s jelly stem cells

Umbilical cord occlusion

As a mucous tissue, it protects and insulates umbilical blood vessels. Wharton’s jelly, when exposed to temperature changes, collapses structures within the umbilical cord and thus provides a physiological clamping of the cord (an average of) 5 minutes after birth.

Cellules souches
Stem Cells in Wharton’s jelly express several stem cell genes, including telomerase. They can be extracted, cultured, and induced to differentiate into mature cell types such as neurons.

Wharton’s jelly is therefore a potential source of cellules souches adultes (also see the more common method of storing cord blood)

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells may have immunomodulatory effect on lymphocytes.

Wharton’s Jelly tissue transplantation has shown to be able to reduce traumatic brain injury and may have therapeutic potential.