A gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord.
Provides support for the vein and arteries of the umbilical cord.
During early development of the embryo, primitive mesenchymal-like cells are trapped at very early embryological age and retain the properties of primitive stem cells.
Stem cells for the Wharton’s Jelly can be extracted postnatally, and is also ref2242ed to as cord tissue, and can be banked..
Substantia gelatinea funiculi umbilicalis is a gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord also present in vitreous humor of the eyeball, largely made up of mucopolysaccharides hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.
WJ contains some fibroblasts and macrophages and is derived from extra-embryonic mesoderm.
It oprotects and insulates umbilical blood vessels.
When exposed to temperature changes, collapses structures within the umbilical cord and thus provides a physiological clamping of the cord (an average of) 5 minutes after birth.
Clamping of the cord occurs on average five minutes after birth.
Cells in Wharton’s jelly express several stem cell genes, including telomerase.
Stem cells can be extracted, cultured, and induced to differentiate into mature cell types such as neurons.
A potential source of adult stem cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells may have immunomodulatory effect on lymphocytes.
Wharton’s Jelly tissue transplantation is able reduce traumatic brain injury and may have therapeutic potential.