By Dr. Adam Brockman, DC, ND | Member, NuvoCell Biologics Medical Advisory Board
Published:
Wharton’s Jelly is a soft, gelatinous tissue found inside the human umbilical cord. It contains a highly concentrated population of cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been the subject of growing scientific interest over the past two decades. What makes them particularly relevant to cell-free research is not only the cells themselves, but also what they secrete: a complex mixture of proteins, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that researchers study for their role in biological signaling. Cell-free approaches that work with this secreted material, rather than with live cells directly, represent one of the more active areas of current investigation in this field.
Key Takeaways
- Wharton’s Jelly is a tissue within the umbilical cord that contains mesenchymal stem cells.
- WJ-MSCs are studied for their secretome: the bioactive molecules they release naturally.
- The secretome includes extracellular vesicles, growth factors, cytokines, and regulatory RNA.
- Cell-free approaches study the secretome without using live cells directly.
- WJ-MSCs are among several MSC sources being explored in regenerative research contexts.
- Most research in this area is still preclinical; the field continues to develop.
What Exactly Is Wharton’s Jelly and Where Does It Come From?
The umbilical cord is made up of more than just blood vessels. Surrounding those vessels is a protective, jelly-like connective tissue first described by the anatomist Thomas Wharton in 1656, which is how it got its name. Wharton’s Jelly serves as a cushioning matrix during fetal development, helping to protect the umbilical vessels from torsion and compression.
Within this matrix is a population of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, often referred to as WJ-MSCs in the research literature. These cells share some characteristics with stem cells found in adult tissues like bone marrow and fat, but they also have features that distinguish them as a research subject in their own right.
A few things make WJ-MSCs a frequently studied cell source:
- They are collected at the time of birth from tissue that would otherwise be discarded
- Collection does not require any invasive procedure for the donor
- Wharton’s Jelly is noted for containing a relatively high concentration of MSCs compared to some other studied sources
- Being perinatal in origin, they are not subject to the same age-related changes seen in adult tissue-derived cells
It is worth noting that like all MSC research, the scientific picture is still being developed. What researchers understand about WJ-MSCs today may be refined as more studies are completed.
How Do WJ-MSCs Compare to Other Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sources?
Mesenchymal stem cells can be isolated from a variety of tissues. Bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue are among the most historically studied sources, and Wharton’s Jelly has become a more recent focus of comparative research. The table below outlines some general characteristics as described in the current literature:
| Characteristic | Wharton’s Jelly (WJ) | Bone Marrow | Adipose Tissue |
| Collection method | Umbilical cord tissue collected after birth | Bone marrow aspirate | Fat tissue, often from lipoaspirate |
| Donor age factor | Perinatal source | Adult donor, varies by age | Adult donor, varies by age |
| MSC concentration | Reported as high, depending on source and processing | Variable | Variable |
| Research status | Actively studied | Extensively studied | Extensively studied |
These comparisons reflect general findings from published research and should not be read as absolute or settled conclusions. Researchers continue to study the differences between MSC sources and how those differences may be relevant to various research applications.These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Designed to support overall wellness and not intended for medical treatment.
What Is the Secretome and Why Do Researchers Study It?
One of the most significant shifts in MSC research over the past decade has been a move away from studying the cells themselves and toward studying what those cells produce. The collective term for everything a cell secretes into its surrounding environment is the secretome.
The WJ-MSC secretome is a complex mixture that includes:
- Soluble proteins including cytokines and chemokines
- Growth factors such as VEGF, FGF, and IGF-1 that are studied for their signaling roles
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, which carry biological cargo between cells (Learn More: Extracellular Vesicles vs. Exosomes)
- Regulatory nucleic acid molecules including microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA)
What makes the secretome interesting to researchers is the idea that the biological activity previously attributed to MSCs may be driven largely by these secreted factors, rather than only by the cells engrafting or differentiating in recipient tissue. This insight has opened a pathway toward cell-free approaches that work with the secretome directly.
What Does Cell-Free Mean and Why Does That Distinction Matter?
Cell-based approaches involve introducing living cells into the body. Cell-free approaches, by contrast, work with the bioactive molecules that cells produce, without the cells themselves. In the context of WJ-MSC research, this means studying secretome-derived materials rather than live MSCs directly.
Researchers have noted several reasons why cell-free approaches are of interest:
- Consistency: Secretome-derived materials may be more straightforward to standardize than live cell preparations.
- Stability: Bioactive molecules and EVs can potentially be processed and stored without the challenges of maintaining viable cells.
- Accessibility: Cell-free materials may be more adaptable to different formats and delivery contexts than cell-based therapies.
- Research breadth: A growing body of literature is exploring secretome-derived applications across a range of biological research areas.
It is important to note that cell-free research is still evolving. Most work in this space remains in preclinical stages, and translating findings into established applications is a process that takes time and rigorous study.
How Is WJ-MSC Science Relevant to Topical Wellness Products?
As research into MSC-derived bioactive materials has expanded, so has interest in how those materials might be incorporated into accessible wellness formats. One area of exploration involves formulating bioactive biomolecules and extracellular vesicles derived from WJ-MSCs into topical products, rather than relying solely on injectable or clinical delivery formats.
NuvoCell Biologics is among the companies working in this area. NuvoCell describes its products as topical wellness formulations that include bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicle-derived ingredients from a defined WJ-MSC source. The products are developed by physicians for professional wellness settings and are intended to complement clinical protocols.
Topical wellness products in this category are intended to support general wellness. They are not evaluated by the FDA for therapeutic use, and they are not substitutes for medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Wharton’s Jelly MSCs different from other stem cells?
WJ-MSCs come from umbilical cord tissue collected at birth, which means they are perinatal in origin rather than derived from adult tissue. Research suggests they may have a distinct secretory profile compared to bone marrow or adipose-derived MSCs, though comparisons are still being studied. They are mesenchymal stem cells, not embryonic stem cells, and are not associated with the ethical concerns sometimes raised around embryonic research.
Is this the same as stem cell therapy?
No. Products based on WJ-MSC-derived bioactive molecules and EVs are not stem cell therapies. They are cell-free formulations that contain material secreted by or derived from those cells. No living stem cells are present in these products. They are not medical treatments and are not evaluated by the FDA for therapeutic claims.
What is in the WJ-MSC secretome?
The secretome includes a range of biological molecules: proteins, cytokines, growth factors, regulatory RNA, and extracellular vesicles. The exact composition can vary depending on how the cells are cultured and processed. Researchers study this material to better understand how it may interact with biological systems.
Are these products safe?
NuvoCell products are intended for external topical use only and should be used as directed. They are not evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy as medical treatments. Anyone with questions about product suitability, skin sensitivity, pregnancy, medical conditions, or concurrent care should consult a qualified healthcare provider.
How is this different from injectable exosome treatments?
Injectable exosome treatments are administered by a clinician and are a separate category from topical wellness products. Topical formulations containing EV-derived ingredients are intended for topical application as part of a general wellness routine. They are not equivalent to injectable products and do not carry the same regulatory review.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Designed to support overall wellness and not intended for medical treatment.
