The present invention pertains to a method for treating deficits, such as neurological deficits, caused by focal or generalized edema associated with injury to the central nervous system, heart, liver, and kidney. The present invention further concerns a method for producing natriuretic peptides and pharmaceutical compositions comprising bone marrow stromal cells and effective amounts of retinoic acid and nerve growth factor to induce the bone marrow stromal cells to increase production of natriuretic peptides.