CordMSCs
 

What are CordMSCs?

Human umbilical cord wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells.
 

What are mesenchymal stem cells?
Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. Cell types that MSCs have been shown to differentiate into in vitro or in vivo include osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, endotheliums, and, as described lately, beta-pancreatic islets cells[1].
Reference: - Chen LB, Jiang XB, Yang L (2004). "Differentiation of rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells into pancreatic islet beta-cells and in addition to Yahya's cell". World journal of gastroenterology 10 (20): 3016–20.
 
The advantages of mesenchymal stem cells.
  • Immunologically immature; they do not trigger a host versus graft response (GHVD), and therefore may be well-tolerated in allogeneic (transplant onto a different person) transplantation3.
  • Has been demonstrated improve engraftment of Hematopoietic Stem Cells1.
  • Has the potential to treat heart disease4 , Parkinson’s disease5, cerebral global ischemia6 , retinal disease7.
  • Ability to differentiate into cartilage, bone, muscle and neural cells1,2.
References: -
  1. Troyer DL and Weiss ML. Concise Review: Wharton’s Jelly-derived Cells are a Primitive Stromal Cell Population. Stem Cells 2008:26;591-599.
  2. Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee, “Stem Cells: from Bench to Bedside”. New Jersey: World Scientific 2005, pp6.
  3. Weiss ML, et al. Immune Properties of Human Umbilical Cord Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Cells. Stem Cells 2008:26;2865-2874.
  4. Wang H-S, et al. Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Wharton’s Jelly of the Human Umbilical Cord. Stem Cell. 2004:22; 1330-1337.
  5. Fu Y-S. et al. Conversion of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wharton’s Jelly to Dopaminergic Neurons In Vitro: Potential Therapeutic Application for Parkinsonism. Stem Cells.2006:24;115-124.
  6. Jomura S. et al. Potential Treatment of Cerebral Global Ischemia with Oct-4+Umbilical Cord Matrix Cells. Stem Cells.2007:25;38-106.
  7. Lund RD, et al. Cells Isolated from Umbilical Cord Tissue Rescue Photoreceptors and Visual Functions in a Rodent Model of Retinal Disease. Stem Cells. 2007:25;602-611.
 
Shall I store both of my Child’s CordBlood and CordMSCs?
It is ideal to store both because HSCs from cord blood can only differentiate into blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc. whereas MSCs from Wharton’s Jelly can differentiate into other types of cells and tissues like bone, heart, nerve, cartilage, etc. Both HSCs and MSCs are equally beneficial but they demonstrate differening functions. For instance, MSCs may not be able to treat blood cancer patients while HSCs can. On the other hand, MSCs can improve the engraftment of HSCs transplantation as MSCs are a catalyst to the necessary environment conducive for HSCs functions.
 
What is the volume of CordMSCs that we need to use for treatment?
The amount of cells required depends on the treatment type and the severity of the injury/illness. This is one of the most common questions asked that has no definitive answer. For cases that do not require immediate treatment, for example diabetes and osteoarthritis, there is time to expand cells into a desired amount for treatment. Some of the MSCs stored can be used for urgent cases that require immediate treatment like heart disease, stroke, and the other half will be used for expansion before transplantation.
 
Are there any other stem cells banks storing MSCs?
As far as we know, we are the first in the South East Asia to provide such a service. There are, however, companies in UK, America, Taiwan, China and India already providing similar services.
 
Do we need to go for HLA Typing in CordMSCs? What’s the risk of rejection (GVHD)?
It’s definitely not required for autologous transplants (self-use). Early studies have also shown that HLA typing may not be required even for allogenic use (transplant to another person) as these are very naïve cells. Matching is not required as it’s immunologically immature. There are on-going trials as well as published literature which suggest that HLA typing in not required for GVHD treatment. Although the lack of clinical data on allogeneic usage, MSCs have been shown to modulate certain T-cells and hence reduce GVHD. Despite this for most medical usages it is always recommended to use own (autologous) products if available (unless it is genetically faulty). Yes you can wait for others but it is always much better to store your own as it is cheaper and safer as you know it is from a source you trust.
 
How does CordMSCs work?
CordMSCs are primitive MSCs and bone marrow MSCs have been tried on various indications with good results. Since young HSCs in cord blood works well when compared to HSCs from bone marrow, we are confident that CordMSCs will work equally well if not better than bone marrow derived MSCs.
 
Is possible to treat diseases (heart, diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc) using CordMSCs in Malaysia?
The potential of CordMSCs are currently in various stages of research. Although currently only a few physicians or facilities in Malaysia is able to provide any treatment but it’s merely storing for its future potential as technologies advances. It is once in a life time opportunity to store the CordMSCs. Furthermore, it’s younger, smaller, and has faster proliferation capabilities. Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells are known to help cells and tissues in at least 3 different ways: 1. Angiogenesis (promoting blood vessel growth) 2. Paracrine/Cytokine effects (secretion of positive growth factors enabling surrounding cells survival) 3. Differentiation (ability to become other cell types). The long term effects on diseases are yet to be established.
 
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