Development of a Simple Selection Protocol for Optimizing the Harvest of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Explanted Human Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly

The study developed a protocol to optimize the harvest of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly using an explant culture technique. This method did not require proteolytic enzymes and allowed for successful cell migration across five consecutive culture plate transfers, with the cells remaining viable for over 18 passages. The MSCs met the International Society for Cellular Therapy criteria and were confirmed by colony formation and RT-PCR for specific markers. However, cell migration decreased after the third transfer. The protocol effectively increased the yield of primary cells, reducing the need for frequent sample collection, processing time, and cost.