Abstract: A method of treating or preventing cancer metastasis in a subject is described. The method includes implanting a decoy trap within the subject, the decoy trap comprising an implantable trap device including a metastatic cancer attractant. Methods of diagnosing cancer metastasis in a subject using the decoy traps are also described. The methods include implanting the decoy trap in the subject and allowing the decoy trap to remain within the subject for a period of time, and then diagnosing the subject as having metastatic cancer if metastatic cancer cells are detected in the decoy trap.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure can relate to a method for treating a lung remodeling disease in a subject. One step of the method can include assaying one or more mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for one or more of the following effects: (1) reduce collagen deposition in the lungs of the subject; (2) increase expression of a transcription factor in an alveolar macrophage of the subject; (3) decrease expression of a cytokine in an alveolar macrophage of the subject; (4) decrease expression of a toll-like receptor (TLR) in an alveolar macrophage of the subject; (5) decrease mRNA synthesis of collagen 1 and/or collagen 3 in the subject; and (6) decrease the level of hyaluronic acid in the subject. A therapeutically effective amount of the one or more assayed MSCs found to have one or more of effects (1)-(6) can then be administered to the subject.

Abstract: A test animal for identifying blood vessel transendothelial migration-affecting factors or agents is described. The test animal comprises an implanted tissue mimicking model with a composite vascular structure comprising pericytes on test animal vasculature. The test animal can be used in a method of identifying or evaluating a blood vessel transendothelial migration-affecting agent that includes administering the agent to a test animal and determining the effect of the agent on the level of blood vessel transendothelial migration into or out of the tissue model. The test animal can also be used in a method of identifying or characterizing a metastasis-facilitating factor that includes administering or inducing circulating tumor cells in a test animal in which one or more factors in the pericyte have been silenced, and determining if the level of tumor cell migration into the tissue model has increased or decreased.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to cell delivery compositions comprising a chondrogenic cell and a targeting moiety. Such compositions may be used, for example, in administering a targeted cell therapy to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are perivascular medicinal cells (PVMCs), methods of isolating PVMCs, and a composition comprising PVMCs having medicinal capabilities. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method of isolating PVMCs from an umbilical cord blood vessel or from bone. The disclosure further provides a method of making an enhanced, autologous bone graft, a method of stimulating bone regeneration comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of bone-derived PVMCs, a method of reconstructing bone tissue, and methods of treating a disease that affects cellular function. PVMCs capable of secreting a site-dependent trophic factor are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a microbial infection in a subject includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of MSCs and an antimicrobial agent, wherein the MSCs potentiate the therapeutic activity of the antimicrobial agent, and the therapeutically effective amount is the amount effective to inhibit microbial growth and suppress microbial infection associated inflammation in the subject.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to cell delivery compositions comprising a progenitor cell and a targeting moiety, and methods related thereto. Such compositions and methods may be used, for example, in administering a targeted cell therapy cell therapy to a subject.

Abstract: A bioresorbable implant composition includes a polymeric macro- or micro-scaffold and first and second bioactive agents respectively incorporated on or within the polymeric macro- or micro-scaffold. The first and second bioactive agents modulate a different function and/or characteristic of a cell.

Abstract: For repair of cartilage damaged as part of the degenerative effects of osteoarthritis, the inventors have found that the human mesenchymal stem cell approach makes it possible to: (1) regenerate both shallow cartilage chondral defects and full thickness cartilage defects (osteochondral lesions); (2) broaden the suitable clinical population to routinely include middle-aged patients; (3) eliminate the use of autologous tissue grafts (mature cartilage and the periosteal covering) to repair an articular cartilage injury; (4) regenerate other types of injured cartilage such as patellar and spinal disk cartilage; (5) regenerate articular joint cartilage in older patients with osteoarthritis; and (6) form new cartilage and subchondral bone which fully integrate into the adjacent normal tissue.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to cell delivery compositions comprising a chondrogenic cell and a targeting moiety. Such compositions may be used, for example, in administering a targeted cell therapy to a subject.

Abstract: A multilayer skin equivalent is formed having a scaffold layer containing dermis-forming cells, and a keratinocyte layer. The dermis-forming cells and keratinocytes are preferably autologous, and the dermis-forming cells can be human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), dermal fibroblasts (e.g., papillary or reticular dermal fibroblasts) or mixtures thereof. The scaffold is preferably type I collagen alone, or types I and II collagen in combination. Also formed is a multilayer skin equivalent having a scaffold layer containing a layer of extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts in laminar relationship with a layer of extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts, and a keratinocyte layer. A multilayer dermal equivalent is provided having a layer of extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer of extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermis-forming cells.

Abstract: A biological material for the repair of connective tissue cells comprising: a) a cell preparation enriched in mesenchymal stem cells, b) three-dimensional extracellular matrix comprising a nyaluronic acid derivative. The use of said biological material, optionally combined with therapeutically acceptable excipients and/or diluents and optionally in association with therapeutically effective ingredients in the repair of connective tissue cells.

Abstract: For repair of cartilage damaged as part of the degenerative effects of osteoarthritis, the inventors have found that the human mesenchymal stem cell approach makes it possible to: (1) regenerate both shallow cartilage chondral defects and full thickness cartilage defects (osteochondral lesions); (2) broaden the suitable clinical population to routinely include middle-aged patients; (3) eliminate the use of autologous tissue grafts (mature cartilage and the periosteal covering) to repair an articular cartilage injury; (4) regenerate other types of injured cartilage such as patellar and spinal disk cartilage; (5) regenerate articular joint cartilage in older patients with osteoarthritis; and (6) form new cartilage and subchondral bone which fully integrate into the adjacent normal tissue.

Abstract: An implant for repair of a tissue defect comprises a plurality of physiologically compatible load-bearing sutures for securing under tension tissue adjacent to the defect to be repaired, the sutures for supporting a tissue reparative cell mass in the defect and a tissue reparative cell mass supported thereby. The sutures have a central portion encapsulated in a cell containing matrix which is contracted under a tensile load by the cells thereof and formed into a mat sheet during the contraction. Spring metal wires hold the sutures in tension during the contraction. The matrix is a collagen gel or other material which the cells contract, the cells comprising human mesenchymal stem cells. The mat sheet is then rolled into a spiral roll with the sutures extending from opposite roll ends to form the desired implant. Different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated human mesenchymal stem cells, a method for isolating, purifying, and culturally expanding human mesenchymal stem cells (i e. mesenchymal stem cells or "MSCs"), and characterization of (including by cytokine expression profiling) and uses, particularly research reagent, diagnostic and therapeutic uses for such cells. The stem cells can be culture expanded without differentiating. Further disclosed are monoclonal antibodies specific for human mesenchymal stem cells and the monoclonal hybridoma cell lines (ATCC nos. 10743-10745) that synthesize and secrete these monospecific antibodies, and uses of the monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Method and preparations for enhancing hematopoietic progenitor cell engraftment in an individual by administering (i) a culturally expanded mesenchymal stem cell preparation and (ii) hematopoietic progenitor cells. The mesenchymal stem cells are administered in an amount effective to promote engraftment of the hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Abstract: Methods for in vitro or ex vivo lineage directed induction of isolated, culture expanded human mesenchymal stem cells comprising contacting the mesenchymal stem cells with a bioactive factor effective to induce differentiation thereof into a lineage of choice as well as such compositions including isolated culture expanded human mesenchymal stem cells and bioactive factors effective to induce directed lineage induction are disclosed. Further disclosed is this method which also includes introducing such culturally expanded lineage-induced mesenchymal stem cells into a host from which they have originated for purposes of mesenchymal tissue regeneration or repair.

Abstract: An implant for repair of a tissue defect which implant comprises a physiologically compatible load-bearing member having an element for securing under tension tissue adjacent to the defect to be repaired, an element for supporting a tissue reparative cell mass in the defect and a tissue reparative cell mass supported thereby. The implant can be a suture material having a cell containing matrix surrounding a central portion thereof. The matrix is preferably a gel or other material which the cells cause to contract, thereby drawing together the tissues surrounding the defect to which the implant is attached.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated human mesenchymal stem cells, a method for isolating, purifying, and culturally expanding human mesenchymal stem cells (i.e. mesenchymal stem cells or "MSCs"), and characterization of (including by cytokine expression profiling) and uses, particularly research reagent, diagnostic and therapeutic uses for such cells. The stem cells can be culture expanded without differentiating. Further disclosed are monoclonal antibodies specific for human mesenchymal stem cells and the monoclonal hybridoma cell lines (ATCC nos. 10743-10745) that synthesize and secrete these monospecific antibodies, and uses of the monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Isolated human mesenchymal stem cells, a method for isolating, purifying, and culturally expanding human mesenchymal stem cells (i.e. mesenchymal stem cells or "MSCs"), and characterization of (including by cytokine expression profiling) and uses, particularly research reagent, diagnostic and therapeutic uses for such cells. The stem cells can be culture expanded without differentiating. Monoclonal antibodies specific for human mesenchymal stem cells and the monoclonal hybridoma cell lines (ATCC nos. 10743-10745) that synthesize and secrete these monospecific antibodies, and uses of the monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.