What is the Difference Between Cord Blood and Cord Tissue?

The main difference between cord blood and cord tissue lies in the types of stem cells they contain and their potential applications. Here are the key differences:

• Cord Blood: Cord blood is extracted from the umbilical cord and is rich in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These stem cells are responsible for forming blood cells and have been used in treatments for over 80 conditions, including bone marrow failure syndromes, metabolic disorders, and immunodeficiencies. Cord blood banking involves collecting and preserving stem cells for potential future use.
• Cord Tissue: Cord tissue is the material that forms the umbilical cord itself, and it contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are different from HSCs found in cord blood. MSCs have the potential to help conditions with no cure today, such as musculoskeletal disorders, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Cord tissue banking involves collecting and preserving MSCs for potential future applications.

Both cord blood and cord tissue are valuable sources of stem cells, and banking them can provide families with a potential resource for future treatments. With ongoing research and advancements, the life-saving potential of stem cells derived from cord blood and cord tissue continues to grow.

Comparative Table: Cord Blood vs Cord Tissue

The main differences between cord blood and cord tissue are the types of stem cells they contain and their potential applications in medical treatments. Here is a table summarizing the differences between cord blood and cord tissue:

Both cord blood and cord tissue are valuable sources of stem cells, but they differ in the types of stem cells they contain and their potential applications. While cord blood is currently used to treat over 80 conditions, cord tissue has the potential to treat a wider range of conditions in the future as research progresses.