The Use of Placenta and Umbilical Cord Derived Stem Cells

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The use of umbilival cord and placental derived stem cells in musculoskeletal repair

  • IRAS ID

    190248

  • Contact name

    Gordon Blunn

  • Contact email

    g.blunn@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    5 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Donor bone marrow stem cells are known to elicit an immune response within the host and this results in a significant loss of bone indicating that these cells cannot be used. It is therefore important that an alternative 'off the shelf' cell source is found. These cells must be immuno-privileged. Stem cells isolated from Wharton’s jelly are presently of significant interest as they represent an earlier stage of stem cell and grow more efficiently and robustly in culture when compared with stem cells obtained from the bone marrow. Importantly, studies have shown that unlike bone marrow derived cells, stem cells taken from the Wharton's jelly do not elicit an immune response when in the donor. Additionally, Wharton's jelly cells are more easily obtained from tissue which otherwise would be disposed of and therefore this does not require a painful and invasive procedure. Additionally, as these cells can potentially be used as an autologous source, then it may be possible to develop an 'off the shelf' treatment which cheaper. In this study we aim to investigate the differences in cellular activity of cells isolated from Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord and the placenta with bone marrow derived stem cells from donors at the RNOH. At this first stage, all experiments will be carried out in vitro and using cell culture techniques within our laboratories. In a later stage, we will investigate the use of these cells in the healing and repair of musculoskeletal tissues. It is our aim to apply and translate science into the care and treatment of patients and we eventually hope if successful, to use this cell therapy in patients. Our team has been extensively studying the role of stem cells and we would like to compare the levels of tissue repair promoted by stem cells isolated from the bone marrow, fat tissue and stem cells isolated from Wharton’s jelly. In this study we would investigate if cells isolated from Wharton’s jelly can be used in other patients. At the moment we will carry out these tests in the laboratory and your cells will not be re-implanted in humans. This would then allow us to choose the most appropriate source of cells for future use in patients.

  • REC name

    London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1841

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Nov 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion