Human Chorionic Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hCMesenchymal Stem Cells) are derived from extraembryonic mesoderm and are isolated from fresh chorion following mechanical and enzymatic removal of the trophoblastic layer. They adhere and proliferate well in cell culture and retain their stem cell characteristics beyond passage 10. Differentiation of hCMesenchymal Stem Cells to all three germ layers, ectoderm (neural), mesoderm (skeletal muscle, cardiomyocytic and endothelial) and endoderm (pancreatic) has been reported. The embryonic stem cell marker SSEA-4 has been identified on hCMesenchymal Stem Cells as well as CD349 and CD140b.