The main difference between cord blood and cord tissue is that the cord blood is the blood collected from the umbilical cord after birth whereas the cord tissue is a 20-25 cm segment of the umbilical cord. Furthermore, the cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) while the cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Cord blood and cord tissue are two types of specimens that can be collected after birth in a process called cord blood/cord tissue banking. Both are important in treating a number of diseases.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Cord Blood
– Definition, Stem Cells, Uses
2. What is Cord Tissue
– Definition, Stem Cells, Uses
3. What are the Similarities Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cord Blood, Cord Tissue, Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
What is Cord Blood
Cord blood is the blood collected from the umbilical cord just after the baby is born. This blood comes from the blood vessels of the placenta and the umbilical cord attached to the placenta. It contains the usual elements of blood such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Also, it contains hematopoietic stem cells similar to those found in the bone marrow.
Figure 1: Hematopoietic Stem Cells Role
On that account, cord blood can be used as an alternative to bone marrow to protect from around 80 blood-related diseases and blood disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma. It can also be used in transplantations in patients with immune system disorders, metabolic or genetic diseases. In addition, investigations are going on to understand the possibility of stem cells in the cord blood to replace nerve and heart tissue as well.
What is Cord Tissue
Cord tissue is the remaining tissue of the umbilical cord after the collection of cord blood from it. It is a cut section of about 20 cm of the umbilical cord, containing both blood vessels and the supported tissue called Wharton’s jelly. This Wharton’s jelly is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It also contains endothelial cells with some potential uses.
Figure 2: Umbilical Cord
MSCs are multipotent and have the ability to differentiate into many types of cells including muscle, bone, cartilage, and fat. Therefore, scientists investigate the possibility of using cord tissue in treating many disease conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, lung cancer, and injuries to bones and cartilage.
Similarities Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue
- Cord blood and cord tissue are two types of specimens collected from the umbilical cord after childbirth.
- Both consist of stem cells, which can be used in regeneration procedures of the structures of the baby.
- Therefore, both are stored in standard conditions for future use.
- They are used in treating various diseases.
Difference Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue
Definition
Cord blood refers to the blood from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby while cord tissue refers to umbilical cord tissue segments.
Collection Method
Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord and placenta following childbirth while cord tissue is a segment cut out from the umbilical cord.
Type of Stem Cells
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells while cord tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells. This is one main difference between cord blood and cord tissue.
Present Use
Another important difference between cord blood and cord tissue is their uses. Cord blood is used to treat bone marrow failure, blood cancer, and other blood-related diseases while cord tissue is used to regenerate cartilages, muscles, bone tissue, nerve tissue, etc.
Evolving Medicine
Cord blood will be used for the treatment of cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, acquired hearing loss, and juvenile diabetes while cord tissue will be used in the treatment of heart disease, spinal cord injury, cartilage injury, and liver disease.
Conclusion
Cord blood is the blood occurs in the umbilical cord and placenta. It contains hematopoietic stem cells; hence, it can be used to treat various blood-borne diseases. On the other hand, cord tissue is a segment of the umbilical cord. The Wharton’s jelly, which insulates blood vessels contain mesenchymal stem cells. These MSCs can be differentiated into various types of tissues in the body such as cartilage, bone or muscle. The main difference between cord blood and cord tissue is the type of stem cells present and their potential uses.
Reference:
1. “What Is Cord Blood?” Patients: Anthony Dones – National Cord Blood Program, Available Here
2. “What Is Cord Tissue?” Cells For Life, Available Here
Image Courtesy:
1. “0337 Hematopoiesis new” By OpenStax – https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:fEI3C8Ot@10/Preface (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “A knot in the umbilical cord – 1” By Scott Granneman (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr
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