Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing TNF-alpha Receptors

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells which express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10 6 cells. Such mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes and may be employed, in particular, in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.

1 . A composition comprising isolated mesenchymal stem cells wherein substantially all of said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10 6  cells; and wherein said mesenchymal stem cells are non-transfected cells. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 15 pg/10 6  cells. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 18 pg/10 6  cells. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said mesenchymal stem cells are human mesenchymal stem cells. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an acceptable pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein at least 85% of said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10 6  cells. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein 98% of said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10 6  cells. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein all of said mesenchymal stem cells express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10 6  cells.