The application of human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells in wound healing: A narrative review

Management and treatment of chronic wounds remain a significant problem in clinical practice. Stem cell therapies are an important and promising approach for regenerative medicine because of their self-renewal and differentiation potential. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a major cellular source for regeneration, are present in almost all tissues. The use of embryonic stem cells is morally controversial because of the need to nurture and destroy embryonic cells. Therefore, adult umbilical cord tissues are of particular importance as an alternative source of perinatal tissues. Wharton Jelly is a gelatinous connective tissue in the umbilical cord containing MSCs that can differentiate into osteogenic, adipose, chondrogenic, and other lineages. These cells do not express the MHC-II molecule and show immunomodulatory properties that make them viable for allogeneic and xenogenic transplants in cell therapy. Therefore, the umbilical cord, especially the part named Wharton's jelly, is an important and promising source of mesenchymal stem cells.