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Understanding Wharton's jelly and umbilical cord tissue products: composition, processing, and clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
Umbilical cord tissue (UCT) has emerged as a valuable source of regenerative biologics. The unique composition of Wharton's jelly—rich in hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and extracellular matrix—makes UCT products effective for a wide range of clinical applications from orthopedics to wound care.
UCT is considered "immunologically privileged" tissue with low immunogenicity, making it suitable for allogeneic use. It contains higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid than adult tissues and provides both structural scaffolding and bioactive signaling molecules for tissue regeneration.
Understanding the key components that make UCT valuable for regenerative medicine.
Gelatinous connective tissue that surrounds and protects umbilical vessels. Rich in hyaluronic acid and growth factors.
Key Properties:
Structural proteins including collagen that provide scaffolding for cell migration and tissue repair.
Key Properties:
Bioactive signaling molecules that regulate cell behavior and promote tissue regeneration.
Key Properties:
Immune-modulating proteins that help regulate inflammation and support healing.
Key Properties:
UCT products are used across multiple medical specialties for tissue regeneration.
Supports joint and soft tissue healing with anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
Applications:
Promotes healing in chronic and acute wounds through growth factors and scaffolding.
Applications:
Provides natural matrix for ocular surface regeneration.
Applications:
Offers regenerative approach to chronic pain conditions.
Applications:
Rigorous processing ensures safety, quality, and bioactivity of UCT products.
Rigorous screening of donors per FDA and AATB guidelines for infectious diseases and medical history.
Umbilical cord obtained from planned cesarean deliveries with full maternal consent.
Minimal manipulation processing to preserve growth factors, cytokines, and structural integrity.
Comprehensive testing for sterility, bioburden, and endotoxins per CGTP requirements.
Cryopreservation or lyophilization to maintain bioactivity until use.
Cold-chain distribution ensuring product integrity from processing to clinical use.
Common questions about umbilical cord tissue products.
Umbilical cord tissue (UCT) is the structural tissue of the umbilical cord, including Wharton's jelly, that surrounds and protects the umbilical vessels. It is rich in extracellular matrix, growth factors, cytokines, and hyaluronic acid, making it valuable for regenerative medicine applications.
Wharton's jelly is the gelatinous connective tissue within the umbilical cord that surrounds the blood vessels. It is named after Thomas Wharton who first described it in 1656. This tissue is particularly rich in hyaluronic acid, collagen, and growth factors that support tissue regeneration.
While both are birth tissue products, UCT comes from the umbilical cord and is rich in Wharton's jelly with high hyaluronic acid content. Amniotic membrane comes from the inner lining of the placenta. Each has unique properties that may be advantageous for different clinical applications.
Yes, when processed according to FDA guidelines with minimal manipulation and intended for homologous use, umbilical cord tissue products are regulated as 361 HCT/Ps. They must come from FDA-registered tissue establishments following Current Good Tissue Practice regulations.
Published studies demonstrate UCT's effectiveness in wound healing, orthopedic applications, and tissue regeneration. The high hyaluronic acid content and growth factor profile support its use in promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
Storage requirements vary by product form. Cryopreserved products require frozen storage (-20°C or colder). Lyophilized (freeze-dried) products can typically be stored at room temperature. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for specific products.
Hawk Medical provides high-quality umbilical cord tissue products from FDA-registered tissue banks with complete documentation and clinical support.