Objects of the present invention are to provide a method for directly obtaining pluripotent stern cells which do not have tumorigenic property from body tissue and the thus obtained pluripotent stem cells. The present invention relates to SSEA-3 (+) pluripotent stern cells that can be isolated from body tissue.

Disclosed are means, methods, and compositions of matter useful for treatment of neuroinflammation, autoimmunity, transplant rejection, or graft versus host disease (GVHD) comprising exposing autologous immune cells to allogeneic amniotic fluid derived stem cells. In one embodiment peripheral blood mononuclear cells are cultured in the presence of amniotic fluid stem cells in the presence of interleukin-2 for a period of time sufficient to endow tolerogenic properties. Said tolerogenic properties include ability to suppress adaptive or innate immune responses. In another embodiment the invention provides methods of generating antigen specific immune regulatory cells by culture of lymphocytes together with amniotic fluid stem cells in the presence of antigen to which specific immune regulation is desired.

Methods and compositions for treating and reducing retinal degeneration using progenitor cells and conditioned media from progenitor cells, such as postpartum-derived cells are disclosed. Trophic factors and other agents secreted by the progenitor cells that protect retinal cells and inhibit apoptosis of retinal cells such as photoreceptor cells are also disclosed.

Provided herein are stimulated placental stem cells and methods of treating individuals having diseases or disorders of the circulatory system using stimulated placental cells. The invention also provides methods of inducing angiogenesis using such stimulated cells or populations of cells comprising such stimulated cells.

The present technology provides for methods for generation and isolation of granulosa cells and/or granulosa cell precursors from multi-potent cells, wherein the granulosa cells and/or granulosa cell precursors are useful in methods for growth and maturation of follicles or follicle-like structures. Additionally, the present technology also provides for methods of increasing steroidal hormones in a subject in need thereof.

Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible chorionic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods of treating diabetes and other glucose regulation disorders. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing L-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the L-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived L-cells (SCDLC). An amount of the SCDLC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food. In another embodiment, the method comprises removing K-cells from a donor, obtaining stem cells from a patient, and culturing the K-cells in the presence of the stem cells under conditions such that the stem cells differentiate into stem cell-derived K-cells (SCDKC). An amount of the SCDKC is introduced into the patient sufficient to cause a lowering of the patient's blood glucose level after ingestion of food.

This invention provides a fluid therapeutic placental product comprising placental cells and a placental dispersion comprising placental factors. The placental cells and the placental dispersion are derived from placental tissue. A placental tissue can optionally be an amnion, chorion, or a trophoblast-depleted chorion. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating a condition affecting nerve tissue, skin tissue, organ tissue, or vascular tissue using a placenta-derived composition comprising placental tissue and one or more protease inhibitors. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating an individual having a malady comprising a traumatic brain injury or a neurological degenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a placenta-derived composition.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating a condition affecting bone tissue, muscle tissue, or connective tissue using a placenta-derived composition comprising placental tissue and one or more protease inhibitors. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating an individual having a malady comprising arthritis, osteoporosis, or fibrosis with a placenta-derived composition. Further disclosed herein are methods of treating an individual having irradiation damage to bone, muscle, or connective tissue with a placenta-derived composition.