Cell Specification
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a well-characterized population of adult stem cells. MSC have the potential to develop into mature cells that produce fat, cartilage, bone, tendons, and muscle. This property in combination with MSC's developmental plasticity have generated tremendous interest in the potential use of MSC to replace damaged tissues. MSC isolated from Wharton's jelly of umbilical cord were induced to transform into neurons and glia in vitro through stepwise culturing in neuron-conditioned medium, sonic hedgehog, and FGF-8 [1, 2]; to cardiomyocytes by treating then with 5-azacytidine or by culturing them in cardiomyocytes-conditioned medium; and to adipogenic and osteogenic lineages [3]. They express matrix receptors CD44 and CD105, but not hematopoietic lineage marker CD34, and a significant quantity of mesenchymal stem cell markers SH2 and SH3.

HUMSC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from Wharton's jelly of umbilical cord. HUMSC are cryopreserved at passage one culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HUMSC are characterized by immunoflurescent method with antibodies to CD73, CD90, CD105 and Oil Red staining after adipo-differentiation. HUMSC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HUMSC are guaranteed to further culture at the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Mesenchymal Stem Cell Medium (MSCM, Cat. No. 7501) for the culturing of HUMSC in vitro.

Product Use
HUMSC are for research use only. They are not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Transfer cells directly and immediately from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1] Mitchell, K. E. et al. (2003) Matrix cells from Wharton's jelly form neurons and glia. Stem Cells 21:50-60.
[2] Fu, Y. S. et al. (2006) Conversion of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in Wharton's jelly to dopaminergic neurons in vitro: potential therapeutic application for Parkinsonium. Stem cells 24:115-124.
[3] Wang, H. S., et al., (2004) Mesenchymal stem cells in the Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord. Stem cells 22:1330-1337.