Cord Blood Stem Cells Differentiate into Various Tissues

Using novel cells found in human umbilical cord blood, researchers have shown the ability to grow bone, cartilage, hematopoietic, neural, liver, and heart tissue in in vivo studies. The achievement was reported in the July 19, 2004, issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM).

Proprietary unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) of ViaCell, Inc. (Boston, MA, USA), from human umbilical cord blood were isolated and expanded in number under culture conditions outlined in the article. They demonstrated a capacity to turn into several different cells types in vivo. This discovery was made by a team that included Dr. Wernet of the International Netcord Foundation (Duesseldorf, Germany) and scientists at ViaCell.

Although USSC therapies in humans have not been demonstrated, ViaCell believes that USSCs found in cord blood are capable of reconstituting multiple other organ systems. The scientific work was performed at the University of Duesseldorf (Germany) in a collaborative relationship with ViaCell's German subsidiary.

"To our knowledge, we are the first group to demonstrate that neonatal somatic stem cells can be robustly expanded in vitro under pharmaceutical conditions to very large numbers and can differentiate, in vivo, into a number of tissue types and take on the properties and specific functions of the cells in those tissues,” explained Dr. Wernet.

"These data make it clear that cord blood stem cells have the potential to treat diseases that impact nearly every family,” said Dr. Masood Khatamee, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University's School of Medicine (USA).


Related Links:
ViaCell
Netcord