Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions related to discovery of Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 (FFA1) as a therapeutic target for treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders of neurons that are characterized by angiogenesis, or of vascular diseases of the eye, retinal degeneration and/or tumors more generally. Therapeutic and/or prophylactic uses and compositions of known FFA1 inhibitors, including small molecules and nucleic acid agents, are described. Methods for identification of novel FFA1 inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for increasing fetal hemoglobin levels in a cell by disrupting BCL11A expression at the genomic level. Also provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the treatment of hemoglobinopathies by reinduction of fetal hemoglobin levels.

Abstract: The present invention features adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof for transducing neurons with injured axons.

Abstract: Methods and devices for approximating jaw and corresponding tissue segments are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the approximation device includes a first jaw attachable to a first jaw segment, a second jaw attachable to a second jaw segment, the second jaw segment being smaller than the first jaw segment, and a housing. The second jaw is movably attached to the housing, the second jaw configured to move the second jaw segment toward the first jaw segment. The second jaw is configured to translate between a first position and a second position during a first segment of travel of the second jaw, and configured to at least rotate between the second position and a third position during a second segment of travel.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising macromolecular photocleavable prodrug compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, and isotopically enriched derivatives thereof. Also provided are methods, uses, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits involving the inventive compounds or compositions for treating and/or preventing a disease and/or condition (e.g., inflammatory disease, infectious disease, pain) in a subject, optionally comprising illumination of the compound, composition, or pharmaceutical composition with light of an absorption wavelength sufficient to cleave the bonds between each instance of L and each instance of X upon illumination with the light (e.g., light between approximately 200 nm to 500 nm).

Abstract: Methods for developing disease-related nanobodies and related products and kits are provided. The disease-specific proteins are extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, domains or epitopes that are associated with various aspects of disease and are not present, or are present in very low quantities, in non-diseased individuals. Highly effective nanobodies capable of specifically binding to these ECM protein epitopes useful in in vivo imaging assays, the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases as well as monitoring therapeutic progress in a patient with a disease are provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for reducing neuroinflammation and treating neurodegenerative diseases using proteinase inhibitors. The invention also provides methods for reducing post-injury scar formation in the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to the discovery of genes that are deregulated in cancer stem cells (e.g., melanoma stem cells). In some aspects, methods for treating individuals having melanoma are provided; the methods involve modulating (e.g., inducing, inhibiting, etc.) the activity of the cancer stem cell associated genes. In other aspects, cell surface genes that are upregulated in melanoma stem cells are targeted for the selective isolation, detection, and killing of cancer stem cells in melanoma. Other aspects of the invention relate to reagents, arrays, compositions, and kits that are useful for diagnosing and treating melanoma.

Abstract: Provided herein are materials and methods for efficiently delivering nucleic acids to cochlear and vestibular cells, and methods of treating sensory transduction disorders associated with a genetic defect. Some embodiments are directed to a synthetic inner ear hair cell targeting adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, a cell comprising the synthetic inner ear hair cell targeting AAV vector, and method of treating Usher Syndrome in a subject using the synthetic inner ear hair cell targeting AAV vector.

Abstract: The invention features a prospective respiratory motion compensation technique for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging of the whole-heart of a free-breathing subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are 2?-O-methyl 3?phosphorothioate (MS)-modified synthetic nucleic acid molecules (single guide RNAs (sgRNAs)) for the use with a Cas9 nuclease in combination as a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex for an electroporation-based ex vivo targeted gene disruption of the BCL11A erythroid enhancer's +55, +58, or +62, functional regions. Additionally, provided herein are said RNP complexes (Cas9:MS-sgRNA), and compositions comprising the modified synthetic nucleic acid molecules or said RNP complexes, and methods for increasing fetal hemoglobin levels in a cell by disrupting BCL11A expression at the genomic level. Also provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the treatment of hemoglobinopathies by reinduction of fetal hemoglobin levels.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed here provide engineered modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), artificially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-stimulated HSCs, compositions comprising these HSCs, methods of using these modified HSCs for treating autoimmune diseases and disorders and for suppressing the immune system. In particular, the engineered modified HSCs or PGE2-stimulated HSCs express the surface marker, programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1).

Abstract: Provided herein are TLR7/8 agonists to enhance immune responses or for use as adjuvants in fentanyl vaccines in opioid-using individuals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to purified preparations of dermal mesenchymal stem cells that are characterized by the cell surface expression of the ABCB5 P-glycoprotein. The cells may be used for any purpose that mesenchymal stem cells from other course are used. For instance they may be administered to treat an organ transplant recipient to improve allograft survival or as a treatment to patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions (e.g. cells and transgenic animals) and methods relating to engineered Ig loci that permit expression of particular antibodies or antibody segments while still permitting recombination and/or maturation process for antibody optimization.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are polypeptide monomers comprising an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) ectodomain and an oligomerization domain. Also provided herein are oligomeric complexes comprising ACE2 monomers. Methods of using such to monomers and oligomeric complexes for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infections such as the coronavirus are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some aspects, are delivery vehicles comprising a ceramide and an agent to be delivered attached to the ceramide. In some embodiments, the ceramide does not comprise a fatty acid (i.e., is a sphingosine). In some embodiments, the ceramide comprises a fatty acid. In some embodiments, the ceramide is a glycoceramide. In some embodiments, the agent is attached to the ceramide covalently (e.g., via a linker). In some embodiments, the agent to be delivered is a therapeutic agent. The ceramide is able to deliver the agent to a cell or to a cellular compartment, as well as across the musical barrier. In some embodiments, agents delivered using the ceramide described herein exhibit longer half-life, compared to agents delivered alone. Methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject for treating a disease using the ceramide delivery vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and assays for detection of recombination and/or rearrangement events in a cell. In some embodiments, the methods and/or assays relate to Linear Amplification Mediated (LAM)-PCR. In some embodiments, the recombination event is a V(D)J recombination event.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising exosome subpopulations, and methods of their use in subjects having certain disorders including lung disorders, cardiovascular disorders, renal disorders and ischemic neural disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polypeptides and fusion polypeptides that have anti-angiogenic activity that can be used to inhibit tumor growth and tumor metastasis. The polypeptide consists of 9 or less consecutive amino acid residues (e.g., 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4) comprising the active core amino acid sequence DWLP, or an amino acid substitution variant thereof. Specific amino acid substitutions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the peptide consists essentially of 4-6 mers identified as exhibiting the activity of prosaposin A. Also disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions comprising the polypeptides and fusion polypeptides, and their use in the treatment, prevention, and inhibition of angiogenesis-related diseases and disorders such as cancer and cancer metastasis.