Stem cells · 4 min read
Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells, explained
Where the cells come from, why Wharton’s jelly is a valued source and what it means for you as a patient.
Short answer
Wharton’s jelly is the soft tissue inside the umbilical cord. It is rich in young mesenchymal stem cells, which are obtained after birth and prepared in a laboratory with quality controls. For you, that means no extraction procedure: the cells arrive ready in a sealed vial, and treatment takes a single day.
In 30 seconds
- Wharton’s jelly is the gel-like tissue that protects the vessels of the umbilical cord.
- Its mesenchymal stem cells are young and have a high capacity to multiply and send signals.
- You don’t need a bone marrow or fat extraction before your treatment.
What is Wharton’s jelly?
The umbilical cord contains a soft, gel-like tissue called Wharton’s jelly, which cushions and protects its blood vessels. This tissue is one of the richest sources of mesenchymal stem cells, the cells used in regenerative treatments for joints, tendons and inflammatory conditions.
Why this source?
Mesenchymal stem cells can also be taken from your own bone marrow or fat. Those options require a procedure beforehand, and the quality of the cells varies with age and health. Cells from Wharton’s jelly are young, multiply well and are known for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory signals, as a 2023 review describes.
How do they work in your body?
These cells act mainly through signals: they help modulate inflammation and support the repair of the tissue around them. That is why they are studied in knee osteoarthritis, tendon injuries and autoimmune conditions.
What does it mean for your treatment?
- No extraction procedure before the application.
- Cells prepared in a laboratory with quality controls.
- One application in a single day at Hospital Puerta de Hierro Andares.
- Follow-up at 30, 90 and 180 days.
Is this for you?
- You want to understand where the cells in your treatment come from.
- You prefer to avoid a bone marrow or fat extraction.
- You are considering treatment for a joint, tendon or inflammatory condition.
Frequently asked questions
Are Wharton’s jelly cells the same as embryonic stem cells?
No. They are adult mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord tissue, obtained after birth.
Do I need a procedure to collect cells?
No. The cells are prepared in the laboratory and arrive ready for your application.
Why not use my own cells?
Your own cells require a procedure beforehand and their quality varies with age. Wharton’s jelly cells are young and consistent.
How are they given?
In a single application at Hospital Puerta de Hierro Andares, on the day your plan indicates.
Stemlife Clinic at a glance
- Location
- Guadalajara, Mexico · Hospital Puerta de Hierro Andares
- Cells
- Mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton’s jelly (umbilical cord)
- Treatment
- One application in a single day; plan 2–3 days in Guadalajara
- Price
- From USD 5,000, confirmed after a free medical assessment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Guillermo Quezada Navarro · November 2026
Sources
- Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells: a concise review of their secretome and prospective clinical applications. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023.
- ISSCR · A Closer Look at Stem Cells
- Cell therapy with intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells continues to appear safe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2020.
General educational information. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.
