Comparative Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Human Bone Marrow and Wharton’s Jelly

Introduction: Bone marrow (BM) is a known source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are used for cell therapy. This study attempts to identify if the Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) is a suitable substitute for BM as a source for MSCs. Materials and Methods: A population of human WJ and BM stem cells were isolated and incubated with fluorescein conjugated antibodies for five specific MSC markers. Cell populations were subsequently analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Most of the stem cells isolated from WJ and BM were positive for MSC markers. No significant differences existed between the expression of typical markers of MSCs in WJ isolated cells and that of BM. Conclusion: WJ is a potential replacement for BM as a source of MSCs and can be used for cell therapy in clinical applications.