Differences between Stem Cells Extracted from Bone Marrow and Those Extracted from the Umbilical Cord

There are many different types of stem cells, each one with its own characteristics. Most people heard about at least one type of stem cells, as they are among the hottest topics of the day in medical research.  Bone marrow stem cells are used in bone marrow transplants, but they are being shadowed by umbilical cord stem cells, which are now used in a wide array of therapies.

How are stem cells collected?

One of the most common questions people ask is what the difference between different types of stem cells is and how it alters the effects of stem cell therapy. Doctors can gather stem cells from different parts of the human body. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) are collected during an invasive procedure. A needle is used to extract bone marrow from the donor’s bones. The hip bone is usually used for this procedure.

Umbilical stem cells (UCSC) are collected from the umbilical cord, after a child is born. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

UCSC promote collagen production

UCSC have been successfully used to restore mobility and relieve pain in patients with degenerative illnesses which lead to chronic pain, like arthritis. They’ve also been used to treat spinal cord injuries. The success of stem cells therapies is linked to the fact neurons around the areas injected with UCSC respond better to electrical impulses and produce more collagen than BMSC, on the whole. This proves that UCSC are better for treating injuries which require tissue healing and restoration.

Stem cell lifespan

Once injected in the patient’s body, the stem cells need to survive as long as possible, in order to support the regeneration and restoration of the tissues. Some of these cells die as a result of the actual transplantation process. The receiver’s body environment might also kill some of the stem cells. After the injection, some of the cells die, while the surviving ones replicate and grow, until they eventually stop growing. UCSC have a higher survival rate, compared to BMSC. They also divide faster and take longer before they stop growing.

This might be attributed to the fact UCSC are not mature, because they come from the umbilical cord, while BMSC are slightly more mature. This is why UCSC are preferred for regenerative therapies. Apart from these two types of stem cells, there are many other types, each one used in different ways, to treat different types of ailments.