cord blood banking

Cord Blood Banking

Learn What Are Cord Blood Stem Cells

What Are Cord Blood Stem Cells?

Cord blood stem cells are cells obtained from the human umbilical cord and placenta after child birth. These cells are easy to collect and store. Cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (cells which differentiate in blood components) and includes cells of the immune system.

Cord blood stem cells are unique

A large component of stem cells found in umbilical cord is hematopoietic cells (HSC). Presence of HSC makes umbilical cord blood a suitable alternative to bone marrow transplant. Cord blood transplant is advantageous for it doesn't mandate stringent donor-recipient matching. A primary disadvantage of cord blood cells are that they are slow growers once grafted.

However, cord blood cells are used in regenerative medicine in combination with other stem cell types. Cord blood stem cells possess a characteristic ability to release signals for internal cell repair. Such chemicals are grouped as cytokines and the intracellular signaling is called paracrine effect.

Cord blood cells in the past have been used in the treatment of cerebral palsy in infants. There have been several reports on the benefits of umbilical cord blood in infants suffering from neurological injury.