Role of human umbilical mesenchymal cells in vascular repair V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Isolation, characterisation and role of human umbilical mesenchymal cells in vascular repair.
IRAS ID
128288
Contact name
Lopa Leach
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Research summary
Mesenchymal cells can be isolated from the term human umbilical cord. These cells, in their morphology, migration properties, surface markers resemble human mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow. The latter, which are difficult to obtain and need tissue matching before use, has been shown to help vascular repair and growth. This project will explore whether mesenchymal cells from umbilical cords, which are normally thrown away, can be isolated routinely and used to repair damaged endothelial barriers of human umbilical endothelial cells and adult endothelial cells (uterine, coronary; commercially bought) grown in culture. The mechanism of how they cross the endothelial barrier, through cell-cell junctions and how they influence recovery of endothelial cells and junctional maturity is not known and would be invaluable for therapeutic vascular repair studies. The study would also shed new light on the role of mesenchymal cells in placental vascular development and maturation.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1194
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion