Author(s)

Peter Cassar, Renald Blundell

University of Malta, Valletta, Malta.

The use of umbilical stem cells in tissue engineering is gaining in popularity. Some of the various uses of these umbilical stem cells are highlighted in this review, focusing mainly on their cartilage, bone and neuronal differentiating abilities. The review will also shed light on the application of these abilities in human clinical trials to repair, protect and treat diseases, e.g. neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cerebral palsy. A side by side comparison with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (current gold standard for tissue engineering) will give a better idea of the viability and efficiency of umbilical stem cell use.

HUCMSCs, Bone, Cartilage, Neuronal

Cassar, P. and Blundell, R. (2016) The Use of Umbilical Stem Cells. Open Journal of Pathology, 6, 41-56. doi: 10.4236/ojpathology.2016.61007.