Abstract: It is to provide a practical method for producing efficiently a large amount of MOMC, which is a multipotent cell which is very suitable for cell transplantation for organ regeneration. It was found that by culturing peripheral blood monocytes in vitro on fibronectin in the presence of SDF-1, MOMC can be produced more efficiently, and the present invention has been completed. Specifically, it is a method for producing MOMC by culturing in vitro peripheral blood monocytes expressing CD14 on fibronectin, wherein the in vitro culture is performed in the presence of SDF-1.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to identify an antigen corresponding to anti-CADM-140 antibody, produce a recombinant protein, and establish an assay system by ELISA or the like. The present invention provides a kit for diagnosing dermatomyositis containing an MDA5 protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 or a fragment thereof that is recognized by anti-CADM-140 antibody.

Abstract: It is to provide a practical method for producing efficiently a large amount of MOMC, which is a multipotent cell which is very suitable for cell transplantation for organ regeneration. It was found that by culturing peripheral blood monocytes in vitro on fibronectin in the presence of SDF-1, MOMC can be produced more efficiently, and the present invention has been completed. Specifically, it is a method for producing MOMC by culturing in vitro peripheral blood monocytes expressing CD14 on fibronectin, wherein the in vitro culture is performed in the presence of SDF-1.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a multipotent cell wherein the sufficient amount necessary can be stably and conveniently supplied with a minimum invasion, that will not cause rejection at the time of cell transplantation, that has a potential to differentiate into various cells such as mesenchymal cells including bone, cartilage, skeletal muscle and fat, endothelial cells, myocardial cells, neurons, mesenchymal cells, myocardial cells, endothelial cells, neurons induced to differentiate from the multipotent cell, and a therapeutic agent/treating method comprising these as active ingredient. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) are cultured on fibronectin-coated plastic plates for 7 to 10 days. The generating cell population with a fibroblast-like morphology is derived from circulating CD14+ monocyte, with a unique phenotype of CD14+CD45+CD34+ type I collagen+.

Abstract: As anti-RNA polymerase (RNAP) antibodies are detected with high frequency in patients suffering from cutaneous scleroderma where skin sclerosis progresses rapidly, supervenes scleroderma renal crisis at a high rate, and associates with clinical entities whose prognoses are extremely bad, it is intended to provide a convenient method of detecting an anti-RNAP antibodies, which is extremely useful in diagnosing and classifying clinical entities of scleroderma, and predicting organ failure, in particular scleroderma renal crisis.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a multipotent cell wherein the sufficient amount necessary can be stably and conveniently supplied with a minimum invasion, that will not cause rejection at the time of cell transplantation, that has a potential to differentiate into various cells such as mesenchymal cells including bone, cartilage, skeletal muscle and fat, endothelial cells, myocardial cells, neurons, mesenchymal cells, myocardial cells, endothelial cells, neurons induced to differentiate from the multipotent cell, and a therapeutic agent/treating method comprising these as active ingredient. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) are cultured on fibronectin-coated plastic plates for 7 to 10 days. The generating cell population with a fibroblast-like morphology is derived from circulating CD14+ monocyte, with a unique phenotype of CD14+CD45+CD34+ type I collagen+.

Abstract: As anti-RNA polymerase (RNAP) antibodies are detected with high frequency in patients suffering from cutaneous scleroderma where skin sclerosis progresses rapidly, supervenes scleroderma renal crisis at a high rate, and associates with clinical entities whose prognoses are extremely bad, it is intended to provide a convenient method of detecting an anti-RNAP antibodies, which is extremely useful in diagnosing and classifying clinical entities of scleroderma, and predicting organ failure, in particular scleroderma renal crisis.