Table 1.
Summary of articles that met selection criteria.
| Authors | Design | Group Controls | Group Interventions | Outcome Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degenerative Disc Disease | ||||
| Han et al., 2018 | Basic Science | Fluorescently labeled human Wharton’s jelly cells (106) | + Degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells with cell-to-cell contact for 7 days; + Degenerative human nucleus pulposus cells without cell-to-cell contact for 7 days; |
PCR gene expression of MSC markers |
| Cheng et al., 2016 | Animal Model: Cohort | Rat model with sham surgery. | + Incomplete transection of spinal cord at L3 + 106 Wharton’s jelly cells injected into the femoral vein following L3. |
Motor recovery using BBB scale at time points up to 28 days; PCR; Histologic pathology at 28 days; |
| Yan Zhang et al., 2015 | Animal Model: Cohort | Canine model with L3-4 as uninjured control and L4-5 as the degenerative control. | + 106 WJC labeled via viral vector to L6-7 | Radiographs; MRI; Biomechanical testing at 24 weeks; PCR at 24 weeks; Histologic analysis at 24 weeks; |
| Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture | ||||
| Shim et al., 2021 | Human Model: Phase I/IIa Randomized Control Trial | Postmenopausal 50–89 year old females with recent (<6 weeks) single-level compression fracture and a diagnosis of osteoporosis were given a subcutaneous injection of 20 mg of teriperatide and 20 mg oral bazedoxifene daily for 6 months. | + 4 × 107 WJSC injected intramedullary into fractured vertebrae at day 0 and 2 × 108 WJSC injected intraveniously at day 7. | Clinical assessment (VAS, ODI, SF-36); Bone mineral density via DEXA scan; Bone turnover markers; Radiographical analysis; |
| Peripheral Nerve Injury | ||||
| Shalaby et al., 2017 | Animal Model: Cohort | Rats without sciatic nerve injury. | + Sciatic nerve 10 mm induced injury. + Sciatic nerve 10 mm induced injury with nerve conduit. Sciatic nerve 10 mm induced injury with nerve conduit housing Wharton’s jelly cells. |
Characterization of Wharton’s jelly cells; Functional nerve analysis; Histologic analysis |
| Osteoarthritis | ||||
| Sofia et al., 2019 | Basic Science | Synoviocytes isolated from synovial tissue removed during total knee arthroplasty. | + Wharton’s Jelly cells for 24 h and 48 h. |
PCR gene expression and concentration |
| Osteochondral Defect | ||||
| Y Zhang et al., 2018 | Animal Model: Cohort | Caprine model with induced 6.5 mm diameter osteochondral defect | + Microfracture. + Implantation of acellular cartilage extracellular matrix scaffold seeded with Wharton’s jelly cells. |
Histologic analysis; Immunochemistry and immunofluorescence; Biomechanical testing; MRI evaluation |