Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions including a taxane covalently bonded to the cobalt atom of a cobalamin. The composition can be delivered by any effective route, but is particularly useful as an oral anti-cancer or antiangiogenic compound. The anti-cancer/anti-angiogenic compound can be used in various chemotherapies including anti-angiogenic chemotherapies, alone or in combination with other anti-cancer/anti-angiogenic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of wounds containing blood plasma or serum and a method for treating wounds effectively by applying said composition to the wound site to normalize the tissue-environment around the site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating eye disease. In one embodiment, the method can comprise administering a taxane-cobalamin bioconjugate or another taxane compound to a subject to treat the eye disease. In one embodiment, the bioconjugate can be dissolved in an aqueous solution prior to administration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectable or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.

Abstract: A method of expressing at least one protein in an animal by intraperitoneal administration of mesenchymal stem cells (or genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells) with at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one protein. The method may be employed, for example, in treating lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry Disease, or arthritic disorders, or hemophilia, or diabetes.

Abstract: Disclosed are cell preparations comprising multipotent adult stem cells and methods for using multipotent adult stem cells to treat autoimmune diseases, treat allergic responses, treat cancer, treat inflammatory diseases, treat fibrotic disorders, reduce inflammation and/or fibrosis, promote would healing, repair epithelial damage, and/or promote angiogenesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectable or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of fibroblasts or a supernatant from a fibroblast culture effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The fibroblasts or a supernatant from a fibroblast culture can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. This method is effective in reducing an immune response to a transplant without compromising the immune response to other foreign antigens. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from a tissue specimen, such as marrow cells or peripheral blood, and to the method of co-culturing isolated hematopoietic progenitor cells with human mesenchymal stem cells to induce megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production. In addition, hematopoietic stem cells can be genetically engineered to carry genes of interest particularly for the expression of physiologically active proteins. In the presence of mesenchymal stem cells, the transduced cells carry the new genetic material and express gene products that can be used to modulate blood disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mesenchymal stem cell and/or cell of the adipocyte lineage that (i) has been modified to have at least one exogenous antigen bound to at least one primary surface molecule of said cell such that said at least one antigen can initiate an immune response and (ii) also expresses at least one co-stimulatory molecule. The antigen is preferably a protein, polypeptide, lipid or glycolipid. The primary surface molecule is MHC I, MHC II or CD1. Also disclosed is a method for stimulating presentation of at least one exogenous antigen fragment on a mesenchymal stem cell primary surface molecule by contacting a mesenchymal stem cell that is capable of expressing at least one co-stimulatory molecule with (i) an exogenous antigen or (ii) genetic material that codes for the exogenous antigen which the mesenchymal stem cell processes into at least one antigen fragment. The method can further include contacting the mesenchymal stem cell with interferon-?.

Abstract: Methods and devices using non-autologous mesenchymal stem cells comprising treating a recipient in need thereof with an effective amount of non-autologous mesenchymal stem cells, including methods and preparations for treating and regenerating connective tissue and enhancing bone marrow engraftment in an individual; and for using genetically engineered allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells that carry within them genes of interest particularly for the expression of physiologically or pharmacologically active proteins in gene therapy for correction of genetic disorders or “rebuilding” proteins important in tissue repair.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for augmenting bone formation by administering isolated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with a ceramic material or matrix or by administering hMSCs; fresh, whole marrow; or combinations thereof in a resorbable biopolymer which supports their differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. Contemplated is the delivery of (i) isolated, culture-expanded, human mesenchymal stem cells; (ii) freshly aspirated bone marrow; or (iii) their combination in a carrier material or matrix.

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: The present invention provides a method to modulate immune responses using antigen presenting human mesenchymal stem cells to induce specific T cell anergy. The present invention also provides a method to modulate immune responses using human mesenchymal stem cells as a platform to express molecules which will induce T cell anergy.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition of chemically defined components which support in vitro and in vivo chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells, a method for in vitro and in vivo chondrogenic induction of such stem cells, and a method of forming human chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo from such stem cells.

Abstract: A composition which comprises human mesenchymal stem cells which have the potential to differentiate into cells of more than one connective tissue type and a composition which induces cells from the mesenchymal stem cell population to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage, and a process for inducing such differentiation. The composition for inducing such differentiation comprises a glucocorticoid, a compound which stimulates cAMP production or inhibits cAMP degradation (such as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and/or a compound which upregulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR &ggr;) expression and/or increases its binding affinity to its DNA binding site. The process can further include isolating the adipocytes from remaining hMSCs.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of suppressor T cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The suppressor T cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with suppressor T cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing cardiomyocytes in vivo by administering to the heart of an individual a cardiomyocyte producing amount of mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.