Abstract

Human umbilical cord tissue, particularly the Wharton’s jelly (WJ) region, is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), growth factors, and extracellular matrix (ECM), with broad potential applications in regenerative medicine and clinical therapy. Owing to their multilineage differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory properties, and ability to secrete bioactive factors, umbilical cord–derived MSCs are considered a promising option for the treatment of inflammatory, chronic, degenerative, and acute injury conditions. Effective preservation of umbilical cord tissue is a critical factor for maintaining cellular quality and tissue integrity for therapeutic and research purposes. This review summarizes current preservation techniques for umbilical cord tissue, including short-term cold storage, deep freezing of intact or sliced tissue, vitrification, and lyophilization. Factors influencing preservation efficiency, such as tissue collection time, sterility conditions, and freezing/thawing rates, are also discussed. In addition, the review updates the clinical applications of preserved umbilical cord tissue in treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, neurological injuries, infertility, and tissue regeneration, as well as its research potential in developing biological scaffolds, exosomes, and next-generation bioproducts. Umbilical cord tissue preservation represents a strategic domain in regenerative and personalized medicine. Standardizing preservation protocols and establishing tissue banking systems are essential steps to meet future clinical and research demands.

Keywords: umbilical cord tissue, Wharton’s jelly, tissue preservation, deep freezing, mesenchymal stem cells, regenerative medicine.