The present invention provides microparticles that deliver in vivo predictable release profiles of at least one chemokine to create a biomimetic chemokine concentration gradient that induces the migration of multipotent stem cells to the anatomical site of the microparticles. Various release profiles are demonstrated that depend upon the relative concentration of alginate in the chemokine-loaded microparticle. Local administration and/or intraarticular injection of the microparticles are useful in conditions such as osteoarthritis. Targeted systemic delivery of the alginate chemokine microparticles to distant anatomical sites subjected to autoimmune disease symptomology can be performed by encapsulation within liposomes having targeting ligands. Consequently, upon the creation of the appropriate chemokine gradient, multipotent stem cells will migrate to the distant anatomical site where the liposomes are attached.