Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of promoting skin rejuvenation in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a cellular extract of epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of the umbilical cord, wherein the cellular extract contains growth factors and peptides and is in the form of a supernatant into which the epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells secrete the growth factors and peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cultivating an epithelial stem/progenitor cell population of the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, the epithelial stem/progenitor cell population having the capacity to differentiate in multiple cell types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a subject having a disorder comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a stem/progenitor cell isolated from the amniotic membrane of the umbilical cord or an effective amount of a cellular extract thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cultivating stem/progenitor cells of the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord that comprises obtaining a tissue explant from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and cultivating the tissue explant in suitable cultivation media and cultivation conditions over a suitable period of time. The method may include isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The stem cells may be epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a subject having a disorder comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a stem/progenitor cell isolated from the amniotic membrane of the umbilical cord or an effective amount of a cellular extract thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of a chondrocyte using mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such chondrocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cultivating stem/progenitor cells of the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord that comprises obtaining a tissue explant from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and cultivating the tissue explant in suitable cultivation media and cultivation conditions over a suitable period of time. The method may include isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The stem cells may be epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the isolation and cultivation of stem cells such as epithelial and/or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells under conditions allowing the cells to undergo mitotic expansion. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for the differentiation of the isolated stem/progenitor cells into epithelial and/or mesenchymal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem/progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem/progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem/progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and/or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents.

Abstract: Use of a composition that modulates a STAT in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing a fibroproliferative disease. The fibroproliferative disease may comprise keloid scarring. The composition may modulate one or more of; activity; phosphorylation; level of expression; or sub-cellular localisation of the STAT. The STAT may be STAT 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a semi-permeable barrier layer that is permeable to oxygen and impermeable to moisture; and a scaffold fiber layer formed by electrospinning fibers on one side of the barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin equivalent and a method for producing the same, wherein the skin equivalent comprises a scaffold and stem/progenitor cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord. These stem/progenitor cells may be mesenchymal (UCMC) and/or epithelial (UCEC) stem cells, which may then be further differentiated to fibroblast and keratinocytes. Further described is a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The invention also refers to therapeutic uses of these skin equivalents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating stem/progenitor cells from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord, wherein the method comprises separating the amniotic membrane from the other components of the umbilical cord in vitro, culturing the amniotic membrane tissue under conditions allowing cell proliferation, and isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the isolation and cultivation of stem cells such as epithelial and/or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells under conditions allowing the cells to undergo mitotic expansion. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for the differentiation of the isolated stem/progenitor cells into epithelial and/or mesenchymal cells.