Umbilical cord blood cells.

The umbilical cord of a healthy neonate contains within it a multipotential treatment for a myriad of diseases and injuries. What was once tossed into the biohazard waste without a second thought is now known to be a goldmine of antigenically immature cells that rival the use of bone marrow for reconstitution of blood lineages. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is emerging as an effective and feasible clinical treatment as its availability increases and benefits are realized. Basic science research has demonstrated a broad therapeutic capacity ranging from cell replacement to cell protection and anti-inflammation in a number of animal disease and injury models. UCB is easily obtained with no harm to infant or mother and can be stored at cryogenic temperatures with relatively little loss of cells upon thaw. The heterogeneous mononuclear fraction has been identified and characterized and transplanted both locally and systemically to treat animal models of stroke, myocardial infarction, Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis, San Filippo, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and age-related neurodegeneration, among others. In the pages to follow, we share protocols for the identification and research use of the mononuclear cell fraction of UCB.