WHY SAVE CORD TISSUE?
More about why we collect stem cells from the umbilical cord
Cord tissue, another source of stem cells.
The future of cord tissue stem cell based therapy in accordance with current scientific opinion is promising. Smart Cells firmly believes that storing umbilical cord tissue as well as the cord blood is the most efficient way to store your child’s stem cells. Storing your child’s cord blood and cord tissue stem cells opens the range of opportunity to treat disease in the future.
When can they be collected?
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ISOLATION
Cord tissue stem cell can be very easily and successfully isolated from a section of the umbilical cord that is collected at birth.
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TRANSPORTATION
Once collected, the cord is safely and efficiently transported in a special solution designed to preserve the stem cells during the transportation process.
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STORAGE
Once it arrives at the laboratory the cord tissue is processed immediately. Sections of tissue are placed in storage where they will remain for use in the future should they be needed.
When can cord tissue stem cells benefit your baby’s life?
Cord tissue has been shown by researchers to be rich in mesenchymal precursor cells that have the ability, under the right conditions, to differentiate into different cell types such as bone, cartilage, nerve, adipose, cardiac, smooth muscle, hepatic and skin cells and are therefore extremely promising in regenerative medicine. They have also been shown to be capable of producing certain proteins that can help to repair of damaged tissues and can reduce inflammation.
Some early clinical trials are under way for certain diseases. See more at ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization
Current research is underway evaluating cord tissue stem cells for the treatment of diseases including:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Artificial valves and capillaries
- Gene therapy for delivery of anti-tumour agents for cancer treatments
- Treatment of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease
References:
The effect of time and temperature during transportation of umbilical cord tissue on viability, functionality and differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells following cryopreservation and thawing. A. Smith, A. Sanchez, M. Fabra, N. Aparicio, E. Ainse, K. Hussain, F. Delgado-Rosas. Bone Marrow Transplantation, Volume 51, Issue S1 (2016), p S129-130 Follow the link to see more information:
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