Affiliation:
1. The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
Abstract
Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are isolated from Wharton’s jelly tissue of umbilical cords. They possess the ability to differentiate into lineage cells of three germ layers. WJ-MSCs have robust proliferative ability and strong immune modulation capacity. They can be easily collected and there are no ethical problems associated with their use. Therefore, WJ-MSCs have great tissue engineering value and clinical application prospects. The identity and functions of WJ-MSCs are regulated by multiple interrelated regulatory mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation and epigenetic modifications. In this article, we summarize the latest research progress on the genetic/epigenetic regulation mechanisms and essential signaling pathways that play crucial roles in pluripotency and differentiation of WJ-MSCs.
Funder
Macau Science and Technology Development Fund
Subject
Inorganic Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Computer Science Applications,Spectroscopy,Molecular Biology,General Medicine,Catalysis