Stem cell self-renewal and differentiation are tightly regulated processes that contribute to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The transcription factor p53 is known to regulate these processes in embryonic and adult stem cells in a dual manner through the Wnt signaling pathway. Within this project, the role of p53 and Wnt signaling in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from perinatal tissues, including the umbilical cord and amnion, was investigated. For this purpose, the expression of pluripotency markers (Nanog, Sox2, Oct4) and markers of adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation potential (PPARγ, adiponectin, Runx2, osteocalcin) was analyzed in mesenchymal stem cells from perinatal tissues. Conditions of induced or suppressed p53 expression in these cells were established using gene transfection methods or specific pharmacological activators/inhibitors, including nutlin and pifithrin.