Cord Blood vs. Cord Tissue
When it comes to stem cell banking, parents can choose to bank both cord blood and cord tissue to safeguard their family’s future health. Each offers unique benefits in the field of regenerative medicine. Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are primarily used to treat blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and certain cancers. These cells are vital for regenerating the blood and immune system, making cord blood essential for therapies like bone marrow transplants.
In contrast, cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), known for their ability to repair tissues, muscles, and nerves. MSCs are being researched for their potential in treating conditions like autoimmune diseases and orthopedic injuries. Banking both cord blood and cord tissue offers families a broader range of future treatment possibilities. To learn more about these options, visit our guide on stem cell banking.
Key Differences between Cord Blood & Cord Tissue
While both cord blood and cord tissue are valuable sources of stem cells, they differ significantly in terms of the types of cells they contain and their potential applications. Cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which are primarily used for treating blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and certain cancers. These therapies are well-established and have been successfully used in clinical treatments for decades.
In contrast, cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are known for their ability to differentiate into various structural cells like bone, cartilage, and muscle. This makes cord tissue particularly promising for regenerative therapies aimed at repairing tissues and reducing inflammation. While the use of MSCs is still emerging, ongoing research suggests their potential in treating conditions like orthopedic injuries, autoimmune diseases, and even neurological damage. Understanding these key differences can help families decide whether to bank one or both sources for broader treatment possibilities in the future.
Types of Stem Cells Present
Cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are essential for forming blood and immune system cells. These cells are primarily used in treatments for blood-related disorders, such as leukemia and certain immune deficiencies.
On the other hand, cord tissue is abundant in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have regenerative properties. MSCs can differentiate into various cell types that contribute to the body's structural tissues, including muscle, bone, and cartilage. This makes them particularly promising for therapies focused on tissue repair and regeneration. Understanding these distinct stem cell types highlights the unique benefits of preserving both cord blood and cord tissue.
The Potential
Mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to repair and heal the body in different ways than cord blood stem cells do. Harnessing their ability to create structural and connective tissue, the stem cells contained in the cord tissue are opening exciting new treatment opportunities for some of the world’s most devastating diseases.
Stem Cell Uses and Treatments
Cord blood is FDA-approved for treating a range of blood-related disorders, such as leukemias, lymphomas, and certain anemias. The hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) found in cord blood have been successfully used in established therapies to regenerate the blood and immune systems. These proven treatments have already saved countless lives, especially in cases where bone marrow transplants are needed. For more details on these applications, see our guide on specific diseases treated with cord blood.
In contrast, the use of cord tissue is still in the experimental phase but shows great promise. The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) it contains are currently being studied in clinical trials for their potential to treat degenerative diseases like ALS and multiple sclerosis, as well as for repairing tissue damage. Researchers are exploring how MSCs could be used to develop new therapies for chronic conditions, which could revolutionize regenerative medicine in the near future
Collection and Storage
The collection of both cord blood and cord tissue is a safe, painless, and quick process that takes place immediately after birth, without any risk to the mother or baby. After the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, the remaining cord blood is drawn from the cord, while a segment of the cord tissue is carefully collected. Both samples are then sent to a specialized lab for processing.
Once collected, the samples undergo cryo-preservation, a process that freezes the stem cells at extremely low temperatures to preserve their viability for years, or even decades. At AlphaCord, we utilize advanced processing techniques to ensure maximum cell viability, which can significantly improve the effectiveness of future therapies.
Learn more about the benefits of our state-of-the-art cryo-preservation methods.
Best Preserved Together
We strongly believe that parents should not only look at the current benefits of cord blood banking but also think about what the future may bring by preserving cord tissue along with cord blood. Preserving your baby’s cord tissue with cord blood means more cells, more treatment options, and more healing potential for your family.
Best Preserved Together
We strongly believe that parents should not only look at the current benefits of cord blood banking but also think about what the future may bring by preserving cord tissue along with cord blood. Preserving your baby’s cord tissue with cord blood means more cells, more treatment options, and more healing potential for your family.
