Abstract
The mesenchymal stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells – MSCs) are thoroughly researched and explored by the regenerative medicine and tissular engineering, due to their immunosuppressive and renewal properties, replacement and regeneration of the injured or dead tissues. They differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondroblasts during standard in vitro differentiation parameters (according to the International Society for Cellular Therapy). The known sources of mesenchymal stem cells are: the bone marrow, the fatty tissue, the umbilical cord, the amniotic fluid, the placental tissue, the dental pulp. There are numerous clinical studies that research the mesenchymal stem cells therapeutically, aiming to cure many diseases, such as the autoimmune ones, or the inflammatory pathologies and the post - transplant complications. It is customary that, post excision and prelevation, these cells are cultivated by means of various lab methods, and then used directly, as they are, or preserved frozen and banked for shorter or longer periods of time before their usage. The mesenchymal stem cells derived from the umbilical cord are valuable in the cure of numerous diseases, due to the fact that, along with their biological anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator properties, they do not imply any ethical matters and are easily prelevated by non-invasive methods, at birth. Regarding the MSCs-based therapy, the clinical trials proved to be safe and well accepted by their host-organism. For a certain therapeutic effect, one should consider stability, reproductibility, capacity to preserve their biological properties post-manipulation and potential freezing, as well as their migration to the injured or inflamed tissues. Only few MSCs products were authorized to be marketed, which represents merely a small fraction compared to the conventional chemical and the biological drugs.
This current scientific approach will be continued with further studies on the banking procedures and regulations regarding the use of the MSCs in Romania, EU, and worldwide.