Abstract: A method of producing blood products in vitro and a method of treatment are provided. The methods include culturing isolated non-SV40 transformed mesenchymal stem cells with growth factors for a time sufficient to produce at least one type of blood products. A method of differentiating mesenchymal cells is also provided. The method of differentiating mesenchymal cells includes culturing isolated non-SV40 transformed mesenchymal stem cells in vitro with growth factors and producing at least one blood cell product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out the expansion of multipotent stem cells ex vivo. Moreover, the invention relates to a two-stage method for carrying out the expansion and differentiation of multipotent stem cells ex vivo, in which it is possible for the stem cells to be gene transfected during the first stage, i.e. during the expansion phase. In this phase, the differentiation of the multipotent stem cells takes place optionally in cells of the hematopoietic, endothelial or mesenchymal cell lineage. Stem and progenitor cells as well as mature cells of the hematopoietic, endothelial and mesenchymal cell lineage, which are obtained in this way, can be used, among other things, for the prophylaxis, diagnosis and therapy of human deseases and for tissue engineering.