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: Disclosed is 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 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 it least one antigen fragment. The method can further include contacting the mesenchymal stem cell with interferon-.gamma..