Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells – The Most Advanced Cells for Shaping the Future of Regenerative Medicine

Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) are considered among the most potent stem cells in terms of regenerative capability. At our clinic, we have adopted WJ-MSCs for treatment due to their superior potential.

Wharton’s Jelly is a gelatinous connective tissue located inside the fetal umbilical cord, formed during fetal development. This tissue is rich in stem cells capable of differentiating into multiple cell types, and a single umbilical cord yields an exceptionally large number of viable stem cells.

WJ-MSCs are extracted from this gelatinous umbilical cord tissue, making them “zero-age stem cells” — cells that are as young and vigorous as those present at birth.

Because of their youth, WJ-MSCs possess outstanding self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, scientifically proven to excel in both tissue regeneration and immune modulation.

In stem cell therapy, the quality of the cells directly impacts treatment outcomes. Therefore, our clinic uses WJ-MSCs — the most potent stem cell source — to achieve the highest possible therapeutic effects.

From Harvesting to Culturing Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

WJ-MSCs are harvested from the umbilical cords of healthy donors who have passed stringent safety screenings. The collected cords are processed under sterile conditions; the blood vessels are removed, leaving only the Wharton’s Jelly tissue.

The stem cells are then carefully isolated without compromising quality and cultured under strict regulatory standards. This ensures that the stem cells we provide are both safe and clinically effective.

While there are various stem cell sources, below we explain in detail why Wharton’s Jelly stem cells are superior to adipose-derived or bone marrow–derived stem cells.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

WJ-MSCs are mesenchymal stem cells derived from the umbilical cord, and their exceptional capabilities have garnered significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine.
They are often referred to as “miracle stem cells” due to the following key characteristics, which enable high therapeutic potential.

High Proliferation Capacity

WJ-MSCs exhibit an extremely high proliferation rate, meaning they can be expanded to large numbers in a short period.

This allows us to prepare the required cell quantities rapidly, making them immediately available for regenerative treatments.
In fact, studies report that their proliferation speed surpasses that of adult tissue–derived stem cells, such as bone marrow–derived MSCs.

Differentiation Potential

WJ-MSCs can differentiate into a wide range of cell types, including bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and nerve cells.

This flexible differentiation ability allows one stem cell type to repair multiple tissues, enabling treatment for diverse medical needs such as regenerating damaged organs and tissues.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

WJ-MSCs have notable anti-inflammatory properties. They regulate excessive immune responses and suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing swelling and tissue damage.

This makes it possible to calm chronic inflammation or inflammation at injury sites, creating an optimal environment for tissue repair.

Immunomodulatory Effects

WJ-MSCs possess the ability to appropriately regulate immune function, making them less likely to be attacked by the body’s immune system and reducing the risk of rejection after transplantation.

Typically, foreign cells are recognized as “non-self” by the immune system and attacked. However, WJ-MSCs are less prone to immune attack.

They also secrete substances that suppress excessive immune responses, helping reduce inflammation and restore immune balance.

This means that even without a perfect HLA match, WJ-MSCs can still be used, making them applicable to a wider patient population.

Furthermore, their immune-modulating properties are expected to benefit autoimmune diseases caused by immune system overactivity, and research in this area is ongoing.

Paracrine Effects

The “paracrine effect” refers to the phenomenon in which cells secrete bioactive substances, such as cytokines and growth factors, that act on nearby cells to produce beneficial effects.

WJ-MSCs release a wide array of such factors, which stimulate surrounding cells to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

Even without directly differentiating into the target tissue, these secreted factors can activate nearby cells, indirectly aiding in the healing of damaged tissues.

For example, secreted factors in the conditioned media from cultured WJ-MSCs have been reported to stimulate fibroblast proliferation in the skin and increase the expression of genes involved in wound healing.

Thus, through paracrine effects, WJ-MSCs can enhance tissue repair indirectly via surrounding cells, contributing to their therapeutic action.

The Most Ethical and Safest Stem Cell Source

Some stem cell sources raise ethical concerns over their harvesting methods.

In contrast, WJ-MSCs are obtained from umbilical cords that are naturally discarded at childbirth, posing no ethical issues. Long-term clinical data and safety tests have confirmed that the risk is virtually zero.

At our clinic, umbilical cords are collected during scheduled C-section deliveries.
In many countries outside Japan, the rate of C-section births is high, allowing for more opportunities to obtain healthy, viable stem cells.

Effective for Congenital and Intractable Diseases

Collected from the umbilical cords of healthy newborns, WJ-MSCs can be effective even for congenital conditions and intractable diseases that the body cannot heal on its own.

Clinical results have shown cases of vision restoration in blind patients and significant improvements in autism symptoms.
WJ-MSCs also promote regeneration of nerve cells previously believed incapable of regeneration.

As a result, they hold promise for conditions considered untreatable, such as Parkinson’s disease, spinocerebellar degeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease.

23C’s Unique Stringent Cell Selection Standards

At 23C, we go beyond simply using WJ-MSCs — we select only the most active cells.

To maximize cell purity and differentiation potential, we exclusively use cells up to the fourth passage (P4), removing aged or functionally declined cells.

Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) are highly differentiable, immune-privileged, easily obtained, and present no legal or ethical issues. They exhibit certain phenotypic and genetic similarities to embryonic stem cells.

WJ-MSCs possess immunomodulatory properties affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. Various studies have shown that injecting WJ-MSCs into severely ill patients unresponsive to standard treatments can be beneficial, even without a perfect HLA match.

Source: Int J Stem Cells. 2019; 12(2): 218–226. Published online 2019 Apr 30.
PMCID: PMC6657936

Why 23C’s WJ-MSC Therapy Stands Out

23C provides WJ-MSC therapy that meets rigorous standards for safety, quality, and efficacy.

“The Youngest Possible Cells” from Healthy Donors

We use mesenchymal stem cells taken from the Wharton’s Jelly of newborn umbilical cords immediately after birth.
Unaffected by aging, these cells excel in proliferation, differentiation, and immune modulation, yielding high therapeutic effectiveness with minimal side effects.
Donors are strictly screened for infectious diseases and genetic risks, ensuring ethically and medically safe cell sources.

State-of-the-Art, NPRA-Certified Culture Facility

Our WJ-MSCs are produced in a cGMP-compliant cell culture facility certified by Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
Sterile cleanroom environments, quality control, viral testing, and genetic screening are all conducted to provide stem cells that meet international safety standards.

We manage the entire process from culture to administration without intermediaries, ensuring high-quality cells at fair pricing.

Personalized, Tailor-Made Treatment Plans

For each patient, our specialists explain applicable conditions, expected outcomes, and design an optimal treatment plan.
Stem cell administration routes — IV infusion, intra-articular injection, or other delivery methods — are chosen based on the condition to maximize treatment efficacy.

Strict Quality Testing and Traceability

Only stem cells that pass multiple quality tests during the culture process are administered.

• Bacteria and virus screening (ensuring zero infection risk)
• Only cells with ≥80% viability are used (far exceeding the 70% government requirement)
• Genetic mutation checks (confirming zero risk of tumorigenesis)

We maintain lot-level tracking and administration records to trace exactly which cells were given to which patient, ensuring safety and treatment transparency.

Full Japanese Staff Support

Overseas treatment can be daunting, but at 23C, Japanese staff provide comprehensive support from pre-travel consultation to post-treatment follow-up.
Our all-inclusive service covers medical interpretation, lodging, and transport arrangements, so even first-time patients can undergo treatment with confidence.

Benefits of WJ-MSC Therapy

Compared to bone marrow– or adipose-derived stem cells, WJ-MSCs have higher regenerative capacity and virtually no risk of rejection.
They are therefore suitable for the following conditions and purposes: