Inflammation

1 . A composition for treating central nervous system disorders comprising an isolated adult somatic stem cell and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

2 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . The composition according to claim 1 wherein the stem cell is not a human embryonic stem cell.

11 . (canceled)

12 . The composition according to claim 1 wherein the stem cell is an adult neural stem cell (aNSC).

13 . The composition according to claim 1 wherein the stem cell is an adult neural precursor cell.

14 . The composition according to claim 12 wherein the aNSC is derived from adult brain or spinal cord.

15 . The composition according wherein the stem cell comprises a targeting moiety for a site of inflammation.

16 . (canceled)

17 . The composition according to claim 15 wherein the stem cell is genetically modified to express the target moiety.

18 . The composition according to claim 17 wherein the targeting moiety comprises an integrin, a cell adhesion molecule (CAM), or a functional chemokine receptor that allows for the selective targeting of an inflamed area.

19 . The composition according to claim 18 wherein the targeting moiety comprises α4 integrin very late antigen (VLA)-4.

20 . The composition according to claim 18 wherein the targeting moiety comprises a CAM that is CD44.

21 . The composition according to claim 18 wherein the targeting moiety comprises a chemokine receptor selected form the group comprising CCR2, CCR5, CXCR3 and CXCR4.

22 . The composition according to any one of claims 1 , 12 , 15 and 17 wherein the stem cell expresses a pro-apoptotic molecule.

23 . The composition according to claim 22 wherein the stem cell is genetically modified to express the pro-apoptotic molecule.

24 . The composition according to claim 22 wherein the pro-apoptotic molecule is a major death receptor ligand.

25 . The composition according to claim 24 wherein the major death receptor ligand is selected from the group consisting of FasL, Apo3L and TRAIL.

26 . The composition according to claim 12 wherein the stem cells are murine, human, porcine, feline or canine.

27 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . The method of claim 34 or 35 , further comprising identifying an inflammation-related time window for stem cell administration in the patient, wherein the stem cells are administered to the patient during the time window.

34 . A method of inducing tissue protection by reducing inflammation associated with central nervous system disorders (neuroinflammation) comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering stem cells to the patient.

35 . A method of inducing central and/or peripheral tolerance in a central nervous system disorder comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering stem cells to the patient.

36 - 37 . (canceled)

38 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the stem cell is not a human embryonic stem cell.

39 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the stem cell is a multipotent somatic stem cell.

40 . A method according to claim 39 wherein the stem cell is an adult neural stem cell (aNSC).

41 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the stem cell is an adult neural precursor cell.

42 . (canceled)

43 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the stem cells are administered after the onset of a central nervous system disorder.

44 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the central nervous system disorder is an inflammatory and/or a neurodegenerative disorder.

45 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the central nervous system disorder is selected from the group consisting of dementia, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, brain tumour, spinal cord injury and ischemic stroke.

46 . (canceled)

47 . A method according to claim 34 wherein the stem cells are administered intravenously or intrathecally.

48 . A method of inducing central and/or peripheral tolerance in a central nervous system disorder comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering to the patient a composition according to any one of claims 1 , 12 , 15 , and 17 .

49 . The method of claim 48 further comprising:

identifying an inflammation-related time window for stem cell administration in the patient,

wherein the composition is administered to the patient during the window.

50 . A method of inducing central and/or peripheral tolerance in a central nervous system disorder comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering to the patient a composition according to claim 22 .

51 . The method of claim 50 further comprising:

identifying an inflammation-related time window for stem cell administration in the patient,

wherein the composition is administered to the patient during the window.

52 . A method of inducing tissue protection by reducing inflammation associated with central nervous system disorders (neuroinflammation) comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering to the patient a composition according to any one of claims 1 , 12 , 15 , and 17 .

53 . The method of claim 52 further comprising:

identifying an inflammation-related time window for stem cell administration in the patient,

wherein the composition is administered to the patient during the window.

54 . A method of inducing tissue protection by reducing inflammation associated with central nervous system disorders (neuroinflammation) comprising:

(i) identifying a patient suffering from a central nervous system disorder; and

(ii) administering to the patient a composition according to claim 22 .

55 . The method of claim 54 further comprising:

identifying an inflammation-related time window for stem cell administration in the patient,

wherein the composition is administered to the patient during the window.

56 . A method of inducing apoptosis of central nervous system infiltrating pro-inflammatory T cells comprising:

(i) identifying a patient in need of amelioration of central nervous system infiltrating pro-inflammatory T cells; and

(ii) administering to the patient a composition comprising a stem cell.

57 . The method of claim 56 wherein in step (i) the T cells are CD45 + inflammatory cells.

58 . A composition for treating systemic or organ-specific disorders characterized by chronic inflammation comprising an adult multipotent somatic stem cell and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

59 . A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis a composition according to claim 58 .

60 . A method of treatment comprising administering to a patient with type 1 diabetes a composition according to claim 58 .