Multi-lineage progenitor cells

1. A method for obtaining a population of multi-lineage progenitor cells (MLPC) having a fibroblast morphology, said method comprising:

a) contacting a human fetal blood sample with a composition, said composition comprising:

i) dextran;

ii) anti-glycophorin A antibody;

iii) anti-CD15 antibody; and

iv) anti-CD9 antibody;

b) allowing said sample to partition into an agglutinate and a supernatant phase;

c) recovering cells from said supernatant phase;

d) purifying MLPC from the recovered cells by adherence to a solid substrate, wherein said MLPC are positive for CD9 and positive for CD45; and

e) culturing said MLPC such that said MLPC obtain said fibroblast morphology, wherein said MLPC, after obtaining said fibroblast morphology, are positive for CD9, CD13, CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105, and negative for CD10, CD34, CD41, CD45, Stro-1, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3), and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fetal blood sample is cord blood.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said solid substrate is a plastic substrate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said MLPC, after obtaining said fibroblast morphology, are further negative for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD22, CD33, CD36, CD38, CD61, CD62E, CD133, glycophorin-A, stem cell factor, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising testing said MLPC for CD9.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising testing said MLPC for CD29, CD45, CD73, and CD90.