Stem cells have two distinct characteristics that distinguish them from other cell types. First, they are unspecialized and can self-renew for long periods without significant changes in their general properties. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, stem cells can be induced to differentiate into various specialized cell types. Thus, stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine. There are two major types of stem cells: embryonic stem (ES) cells and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells exist in many types of mature tissues such as bone marrow, muscle, fat, and brain.

The present invention relates to a composition and methods of treatment for inflammation comprising adult stem cells and inflammatory cytokines. The invention further relates to the treatment of inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders, allergies, sepsis, and cancer, as well as to preventing, reducing, or treating transplant rejection and/or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

The invention is a composition comprising isolated mesenchemal stem cells, isolated interferon gamma, and isolated interlukin-1 alpha, interluken-1 beta, or tumor necrosis factor alpha, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A kit for attenuating an immune response is also provided. The invention embraces a method for attenuating an immune response by administering an effective amount of the composition to a subject in need of treatment.

A method for enhancing a local immune response is also provided. This method involves administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of iNOS-deficient or IDO-deficient mesenchemal stem cells, thereby enhancing a local immune response.

This work was done by Yufang Shi, Guangwen Ren, and Liying Zhang of Rutgers University for Johnson Space Center. NASA is seeking partners to further develop this technology through joint cooperative research and development. For more information about this technology and to explore opportunities, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. MSC-26073-1