Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating miRNAs up-regulated or down-regulated in aged individuals and their downstream targets are disclosed. Methods of treating musculoskeletal disorders are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, peptides and a complex comprising one of the peptides and a cargo molecule, wherein the peptide and the cargo molecule are coupled by non-covalently. The peptides of the invention were found to facilitate the delivery of siRNA molecules into cells and to function in siRNA mediated silencing of cellular targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of gene expression and/or activity, and/or modulate a gene expression pathway. Specifically, the invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acid molecules including small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules that are capable of mediating or that mediate RNA interference (RNAi) against target gene expression.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to methods of treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) and eosinophilic disorders by providing or enhancing a diagnosis of EE and eosinophilic disorders. In particular, the invention relates to obtaining a sample from a patient, then quantifying from the sample an amount of one or more microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with EE, wherein an altered level of the miRNA correlates with a positive diagnosis of EE. An EE diagnosis can then be provided or enhanced, based upon the quantifying step, and an appropriate treatment can be administered to the patient. The invention further relates to diagnostic kits, tests, and/or arrays that can be used to quantify the one or more miRNAs associated with EE, as well as treatments developed to up-regulate or down-regulate one or more miRNAs and/or their downstream pathways relevant to EE or asthma. The invention further relates to the use of IGF1 and IGF1R inhibitors for the treatment of EE and eosinophilic disorders.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods useful for modulating angiogenesis and for inhibiting metastasis, tumors, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods include inhibitors of LOXL2 expression and activity, such as shRNA targeting LOXL2.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders characterized by myelin loss or myelin deficiency by inhibiting Gli1 transcription factor. In a related aspect, the invention provides a method for enhancing neuroprotection of a central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS) neuron in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a Gli1 inhibitor. In one embodiment, the subject has a neurological disorder characterized by myelin loss or myelin deficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are genes that, when overexpressed in cells expressing alpha-synuclein, either suppress or enhance alpha-synuclein mediated cellular toxicity. Compounds that modulate expression of these genes or activity of the encoded proteins can be used to inhibit alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity and used to treat or prevent synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Also disclosed are methods of identifying inhibitors of alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating, attenuating or preventing a liver disorder by inhibiting NLGn4 expression and thereby modulating the activity of NK cells. The present invention further relates to diagnosing a liver disorder by evaluating NLGn4 expression in NK cells.

Abstract: The inhibition of miRNA miR-33 is shown to promote the polarization of macrophages from an M1 to an M2 phenotype. MiR-33 inhibitors are therefore useful for treating inflammation in subjects. Endogenous microRNAs can be silenced using antagomirs. The miR-33 inhibitor is preferably an antagomir having a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to at least 12 contiguous nucleotides in miR-33 and therefore forms a duplex with miR-33 under physiological conditions.

Abstract: Intact bacterially derived minicells containing functional nucleic acids or plasmids encoding functional nucleic acids can reduce, in targeted mammalian cells, drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and neoplasticity, respectively. Methodology that employs minicells to deliver functional nucleic acids, targeting the transcripts of proteins that contribute to drug resistance or apoptosis resistance, inter alia, can be combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing, staging, prognosticating and treating melanoma based on evaluating the expression of specific patterns of oncogenic or suppressive microRNA (miR) molecules in a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating cancers including renal cancer (e.g., renal cell carcinoma) as well as ovarian, breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, bladder, liver, lung, and thyroid cancers and melanoma. For example, methods and material for using one or more inhibitors of an SCD1 polypeptide to treat renal cell carcinoma (e.g., clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)) or to increase the efficacy of a renal cell carcinoma treatment are provided. In addition, this document provides methods and materials for using elevated SCD1 expression levels in diseased tissues as an indication that an SCD1 inhibitor can be used as an appropriate therapeutic to ameliorate the disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a transthyretin (TTR) gene, and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of TTR.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids and rAAV-based compositions, methods and kits useful for treating genetic diseases (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions inhibit the activity of miR-21 for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel molecules, compositions, methods and uses for treating microvascular disorders, eye diseases respiratory conditions and hearing disorders based upon inhibition of the RTP801L gene and/or protein.

Abstract: Embodiments concern methods and compositions involving miR-124 mimics. In some embodiments, there are double-stranded RNA molecules with modified nucleotides having an active strand with a miR-124 sequence and a complementary passenger strand.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for blocking the effect of the intronic inhibitory splicing region of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include short oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target sites in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The short target regions are 8-mers and 5-mers and also include the identification of a single nucleotide base that is essential for initiating a long distance stearic inhibitory interactions as well as novel targets distant from intron 7 which block the intronic inhibitory splicing of the same. These short target regions and concomitant inhibitory blocking oligonucleotides are less expensive and easier to manufacture and are small enough to cross the blood brain barrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) targeting a mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and methods of using the dsRNA to inhibit expression of mutant EGFR.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a microRNA shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1-94; 281-374; 467-481; 497-522; or 549, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be wobble bases, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be non-complementary. The invention further relates to modified single stranded microRNA molecules, isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecules and isolated microRNP molecules. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell.