methods for obtaining cells of a desired potency, for treating inflammation in a subject, for building a cell bank, for drug discovery and for enhancing the potency of a cell, and, composition.
The invention is generally directed to reducing inflammation by means of cells that secrete factors that reduce leukocyte extravasation. Specifically, the invention is directed to methods using cells that secrete factors that downregulate the expression of cellular adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells. Downregulating expression of cellular adhesion molecules reduces leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells such that extravasation is reduced. The end result is a reduction of inflammation. The cells are non-embryonic non-germ cells that have pluripotent characteristics. These may include expression of pluripotential markers and broad differentiation potential.