Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, compositions, and devices for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes polypeptides that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, and their application in the treatment of eye disease, particularly diseases of the retina. In particular aspects, the invention includes administration of a therapeutic polypeptide such as a stanniocalcin family member protein for the treatment of an eye disease. Also included are fusion proteins and cells stimulated or modified to express the therapeutic polypeptides as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchymal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. The invention includes administration of TSG-6, STC-1, or a combination thereof to the ocular as a treatment for an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal.

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating rejection of a transplanted cell, tissue, or organ in an animal by administering to the animal a composition comprising an effective amount of mesenchymal stem cells and/or at least one anti-inflammatory protein or biologically active fragment, derivative, or analogue thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a tumor in an animal by administering to the animal mesenchymal stem cells that have been contacted with a stimulating, or activating agent, such as TNF-a, that stimulates the mesenchymal stem cells to express increased amounts of at least one agent, such as TRAIL and/or DKK-3, that inhibits, prevents, or destroys the growth of tumors. The stimulated, or activated mesenchymal stem cells may be administered in combination with at least one chemotherapeutic agent, such as doxorubicin.

Abstract: A method of treating brain injury or brain trauma in an animal by administering to an animal TSG-6 protein or a biologically active fragment, derivative, or analogue thereof.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, compositions, and devices for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes polypeptides that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, and their application in the treatment of eye disease, particularly diseases of the retina. In particular aspects, the invention includes administration of a therapeutic polypeptide such as a stanniocalcin family member protein for the treatment of an eye disease. Also included are fusion proteins and cells stimulated or modified to express the therapeutic polypeptides as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchymal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. The invention includes administration of TSG-6, STC-1, or a combination thereof to the ocular as a treatment for an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal.

Abstract: A method of producing a protein or polypeptide, such as, for example, TSG-6 protein, or a biologically active fragment, derivative or analogue thereof, by introducing into mammalian cells a polynucleotide encoding the biologically active protein or polypeptide or biologically active fragment, derivative, or analogue thereof. The cells then are suspended in a protein-free medium that includes at least one agent that suppresses production of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronan, or a salt thereof by the cells. The cells are cultured for a time sufficient to express the biologically active protein or polypeptide or biologically active fragment, derivative or analogue thereof. The biologically active protein or polypeptide, or fragment, derivative, or analogue thereof then is recovered from the cells, such as, for example, by recovering the protein or polypeptide secreted by the cells from the cell culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchymal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. The invention includes administration of TSG-6, STC-1, or a combination thereof to the ocular as a treatment for an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, compositions, and devices for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes polypeptides that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, and their application in the treatment of eye disease, particularly diseases of the retina. In particular aspects, the invention includes administration of a therapeutic polypeptide such as a stanniocalcin family member protein for the treatment of an eye disease. Also included are fusion proteins and cells stimulated or modified to express the therapeutic polypeptides as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchymal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. The invention includes administration of TSG-6, STC-1, or a combination thereof to the ocular as a treatment for an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, compositions, and devices for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes polypeptides that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, and their application in the treatment of eye disease, particularly diseases of the retina. In particular aspects, the invention includes administration of a therapeutic polypeptide such as a stanniocalcin family member protein for the treatment of an eye disease. Also included are fusion proteins and cells stimulated or modified to express the therapeutic polypeptides as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of mammalian bone marrow stromal cells into neuronal cells by contacting marrow stromal cells with a neuronal differentiation-inducing compounds. Neuronal differentiation-inducing compounds of the invention include anti-oxidants such as, but not limited to, beta-mercaptoethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbic acid, dimethylfumarate, and n-acetylcysteine. Once induced to differentiate into neuronal cells, the cells can be used for cell therapy, gene therapy, or both, for treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of mammalian bone marrow stromal cells into neuronal cells by contacting marrow stromal cells with a neuronal differentiation-inducing compounds. Neuronal differentiation-inducing compounds of the invention include anti-oxidants such as, but not limited to, beta-mercaptoethanol, dimethylsulfoxide, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, ascorbic acid, dimethylfumarate, and n-acetylcysteine. Once induced to differentiate into neuronal cells, the cells can be used for cell therapy, gene therapy, or both, for treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, compositions, and devices for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes polypeptides that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, and their application in the treatment of eye disease, particularly diseases of the retina. In particular aspects, the invention includes administration of a therapeutic polypeptide such as a stanniocalcin family member protein for the treatment of an eye disease. Also included are fusion proteins and cells stimulated or modified to express the therapeutic polypeptides as set forth herein.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for treating an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchymal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, immune modulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. The invention includes administration of TSG-6, STC-1, or a combination thereof to the ocular as a treatment for an ocular disease, disorder or condition in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for reducing inflammation in a mammal. The invention includes a population of mesenchimal stromal cells that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptolic, immune modulatory, and anti-tumorigenic properties.

Abstract: Isolated stromal cells, containers comprising isolated stromal cells transfected with exogenous DNA, and methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by a bone cartilage or lung defect are disclosed. The methods comprise obtaining a bone marrow sample from a donor, isolating stromal cells from the sample, and administering the isolated stromal cells to the patient.

Abstract: Transplantation of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) into diabetic mice lowers blood sugar, increases blood insulin levels, increases the number and size of islets, and improves renal pathology. Accordingly, the invention provides methods for treating or preventing diabetes by administering isolated MSCs. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing complications which arise from diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy, by transplanting isolated MSCs.

Abstract: The invention includes a purified population of mesenchymal stromal cells that have been cultured under conditions, such as having been contacted with an apoptotic cell, to express increased levels of at least one anti-apoptotic protein. Such mesenchymal stem cells may be used to treat diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with apoptosis or with unresolved inflammation.