Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUMSC)

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) are a population of multipotent stromal cells characterized by the expression of specific surface markers, including CD73, CD90, and CD105, while lacking hematopoietic markers such as CD34 and CD45 (Dominici et al., 2006, PMID: 16923606). These cells express a variety of adhesion molecules, such as CD44, ICAM-1 (CD54), and VCAM-1 (CD106), which are essential for their ability to 'home' or migrate specifically to sites of tissue damage, inflammation, or malignancy (Nagamura-Inoue & He, 2014, PMID: 24904185). This targeting capability is mediated by the interaction between hUMSC surface receptors and ligands like E-selectin or VCAM-1 expressed on activated endothelial cells (Sarkar et al., 2011, PMID: 21434313). In a therapeutic context, hUMSCs are being investigated as delivery vehicles for anti-cancer agents or as regenerative treatments due to their potent immunomodulatory and pro-reparative properties (Weiss & Dahlke, 2019, PMID: 30631533). While they are not a single molecular target, they represent a cellular therapeutic platform used to target diverse pathological conditions. Clinical applications are currently being explored for diseases such as graft-versus-host disease and rheumatoid arthritis, though challenges remain regarding the efficiency of site-specific accumulation and long-term safety (Barkholt et al., 2013, PMID: 23507483).

Other names

hUMSCUmbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cellUC-MSCTarget cells expressing adhesion molecules via hUMSC surface markersWharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell

hUMSCs utilize surface adhesion molecules such as CD44, ICAM-1 (CD54), and VCAM-1 (CD106) to home to sites of injury or inflammation by interacting with ligands like E-selectin or VCAM-1 expressed on the vascular endothelium (PMID: 21434313, 24904185).