# The Crucial Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how epigenetic changes control the function of Wharton’s jelly stem cells, which are important for regenerative medicine.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of epigenetic mechanisms regulating Wharton’s jelly stem cells for regenerative applications.

## Key findings

- Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation and histone changes regulate stem cell behavior.
- Non-coding RNAs play a role in modulating gene expression in Wharton’s jelly stem cells.
- Understanding these mechanisms could improve stem cell therapies for tissue repair.

## Abstract

Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-SCs) are a promising source for regenerative medicine due to their multipotency, low immunogenicity, and ethical acceptability. Epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in modulating their proliferation, differentiation, and therapeutic potential. Key mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (e.g., miRNAs and lncRNAs), influence WJ-SC behavior by dynamically altering gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. DNA methylation often silences genes involved in differentiation, while histone acetylation/methylation can activate or repress lineage-specific pathways. Non-coding RNAs further fine-tune these processes by post-transcriptional regulation. Understanding these mechanisms could optimize WJ-SC-based therapies for tissue repair and immune modulation. This review summarizes current insights into epigenetic regulation in WJ-SCs and its implications for regenerative applications.