Many parents have read about the powerful healing capabilities of umbilical cord stem cells.  These stem cells can be used to treat nearly 80 different types of medical ailments including leukaemia, bone marrow disorders and immune system deficiencies (Moise, 2005). Research indicates thatstem cells from umbilical cord could have many more potential medical uses, including for regenerative medicine.  Read more about some of the conditions umbilical cord stem cells treat

Options for Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Storage

There are two ways in which umbilical cord blood can be preserved:

 A. Volume-Reduced Storage

In this type of storage, the Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) is extracted from the cord blood and preserved.  Cord blood is a strong source of HSCs which can be used to treat many conditions including leukaemia and other immune system disorders.

 B. Whole Cord Blood Storage

Whole cord blood storage retains the entire umbilical cord blood for future use.  Umbilical cord blood contains multiple types of stem cells including Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) and Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs).  In addition to those stem cells, whole cord blood stem cell storage preserves human growth factors including Erythropoietin (EPO), Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF), Interferon and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1).

The Advantages of Whole Cord Blood Storage

There are a number of advantages to preserving the entire umbilical cord blood for future use.

1. Preserving More Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

These stem cells are ‘multipotent stromal cells’ that can differentiate into other types of cells.  MSCs can become bone, cartilage, nerve, muscle or fat cells.  That makes them very interesting for researchers who are working on regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that looks at how the body can regenerate or replace tissue and organs.  Researchers are hoping that we will eventually be able to re-grow organs and limbs, improve tissue condition and cure ailments like heart disease.  If your child has their whole umbilical cord blood in storage, they are more likely to take advantage of these upcoming medical treatments.

2. Preserves Other Components for Future Medical Treatments

Whole cord blood stem cell storage also maintains other elements within the cord blood that researchers haven’t fully discovered yet. Amongst those elements are Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells, which may play a role in regenerating organs (Bhartiya, Mundekar, Mahale & Patel, 2014). As the understanding of umbilical cord stem cells grows, researchers may discover many more components within the umbilical cord blood which could be used for advanced medical treatments.

3. Maintains the Highest Level of Viability

When the whole cord blood is stored, the blood is not manipulated and it maintains the highest level of viability for future use.

4. No Fear of Stem Cell Rejection

A person’s cord blood stem cells can be safely injected back into their body because the DNA is a perfect match — their immune system will not reject the stem cells.  Stem cells can be extracted from the whole cord blood at any time so a high quality source of perfectly matched stem cells is always available.

5. Human Growth Factors

Growth factors can stimulate cellular growth within the body, help with cell proliferation and healing.  Growth factors also play an important role in regulating cellular processes.  By preserving a number of growth factors within the whole umbilical cord blood, you are providing another safety net which can guard against medical problems in your child’s future.

The Cells4Life Platinum Service

The Cells4Life Platinum Service preserves the whole cord blood and retains every type of stem cell available in your baby’s umbilical cord blood.   By using this service, you will be giving your child the best chance for maintaining their health well into the future.  Read more about our Whole Cord Blood Stem Cell Storage Service.

Sources:
Bhartiya, D., Mundekar, A., Mahale, V., & Patel, H. (2014). Very small embryonic-like stem cells are involved in regeneration of mouse pancreas post-pancreatectomy. Stem Cell Res Ther, 5(5), 106. doi:10.1186/scrt494
Moise, K. (2005). Umbilical Cord Stem Cells. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 106(6), 1393-1407. doi:10.1097/01.aog.0000188388.84901.e4
Mitchell KE, Weiss ML, Mitchell BM, Martin P, Davis D, Morales L, Helwig B, Beerenstrauch M, Abou-Easa K, Hildreth T, Troyer D, Medicetty S (2003). Matrix cells from Wharton’s jelly form neurons and glia. Stem Cells. 2003;21(1):50-60.

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