Comprehensive review led by R3’s Department of Research consolidates emerging evidence on Wharton’s jelly function, biomechanics and superior clinical results.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, UNITED STATES, April 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — R3 Medical Research and R3 Stem Cell today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed review article titled “Anatomy, function, biomechanics, and regenerative properties of Wharton’s jelly in the umbilical cord” in the World Journal of Stem Cells (Vol. 18, Issue 4, 2026; DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i4.118404).
Authored by Umm E Habiba, Dr. David Lawrence Greene, and Sabiha Shamim of R3 Stem Cell’s Department of Research and Development, the article synthesizes more than a decade of preclinical and clinical evidence on the therapeutic potential of Wharton’s jelly–derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs).
Key findings highlighted in the review include:
• Secretome superiority — Under identical culture conditions, WJ-MSCs secrete 2.1× more VEGF, 1.8× more basic fibroblast growth factor, and 3.2× more hepatocyte growth factor than bone marrow–derived MSCs — critical signals for angiogenesis and tissue repair.
• Potent anti-inflammatory activity — WJ-MSC conditioned medium reduced TNF-α secretion by 67% and IL-6 production by 54% in stimulated immune cells.
• Faster wound healing — In a randomized controlled trial of 110 patients with diabetic foot ulcers cited in the review, WJ-MSC (umbilical cord stem cell) treatment reduced average healing time to roughly 6 weeks, compared with 20 weeks in the control group.
• Antiviral potential — The WJ-MSC secretome reduced SARS-CoV-2 activity in cell culture by more than 90%.
• Remarkable biomechanics — Hyaluronic acid–rich Wharton’s jelly regains approximately 90% of its original thickness within one minute after a 40% compressive strain — underpinning its protective role for the umbilical vessels throughout gestation. The umbilical cord biomechanical review in the paper should lead the USA FDA to re-classify the function of the umbilical cord from simply a “conduit” to a true reflection of its vast roles in reality.
• Low immunogenicity — WJ-MSCs lack HLA class II expression and express PD-L1/PD-L2, supporting their suitability for allogeneic, “off-the-shelf” therapies.
“This publication represents years of work synthesizing what we and the broader field have learned about one of the most promising — and most ethically uncontroversial — sources of stem cells available today,” said Dr. David Greene, co-author and CEO of R3 Stem Cell.
“Wharton’s jelly comes from tissue that would otherwise be discarded after a healthy birth. Our review brings together the clinical, biomechanical, and cellular evidence showing why it may be one of the most versatile regenerative medicine tools we have — from diabetic wound care and cardiac repair to neurodegenerative disease and beyond.”
The review also catalogs therapeutic applications across diabetic foot ulcers, myocardial infarction, knee osteoarthritis, COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, and outlines future directions in genetic engineering, biomaterial scaffolds, bioprinting, and personalized regenerative medicine.
The full article is available open-access under a Creative Commons license at: https://www.wjgnet.com/1948-0210/full/v18/i4/118404.htm
About R3 Stem Cell
R3 Stem Cell and R3 Medical Research are global leaders in regenerative medicine, operating clinics and research centers dedicated to advancing safe, ethical, and evidence-based stem cell and regenerative therapies for patients with chronic and degenerative conditions.
Over 28,000 stem cell procedures have been performed at R3’s 80 Centers in 8 Countries, including stem cell clinics in Mexico, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Turkey, USA, UAE and Philippines. Patient satisfaction exceeds 85%, and over 1400 education videos and success stories are available on the company’s Youtube channel. Learn more at r3stemcell.com.
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