In addition to identifying a novel sub-population of BMMSCs that possess enhanced immunomodulatory properties when compared to regular BMMSCs, we showed that CD34+/CD73+ BMMSCs could be isolated directly from whole bone marrow and that CD34+/CD73+ BMMSCs are endogenous S-BMMSCs with higher NO production, and are superior in treating SLE-like mice when compared to regular BMMSCs. This evidence concerns the gene CD34 and systemic lupus erythematosus.