Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), a “Holy Grail” in tissue bioengineering and reconstructive medicine

Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field that aims to restore or replace damaged tissues using various approaches, including stem cell therapy. While embryonic stem cells possess pluripotency, their application is ethically controversial due to the destruction of embryos. Consequently, adult tissues and perinatal sources, such as the umbilical cord tissue, have gained attention as appealing alternatives. Wharton's jelly, a gel-like connective tissue found in the umbilical cord, has emerged as a prominent source of stem cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This is due to its high proliferation rate, multilineage differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory properties. The unique properties of Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have been identified as a promising factor in developing innovative therapeutic solutions for various medical conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal injuries. The integration of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells into regenerative medicine and tissue engineering represents a paradigm shift in the development of cell-based therapies.