Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for screening compounds for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) using a mouse model with an Rgs16::GFP reporter. Also described are combination therapies for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) using taxanes, gemcitabine and an Axl kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: The methods and compositions described herein relate to the delivery of polypeptides to a target cell, e.g. by utilizing engineered non-pathogenic bacteria comprising a type three secretion system (T3SS) and T3SS-compatible substrates. In one aspect, described herein are non-pathogenic microbial cells that have been engineered to express both a functional type three secretion system (T3SS) and at least one polypeptide that is compatible with the T3SS. Due to the wide variety of polypeptides that can be delivered to a target eukaryotic cell using the compositions and systems described herein, a commensurately wide variety of applications is contemplated, e.g. therapeutics and reprogramming.

Abstract: Described herein is a cell tissue gel containing collagen and hyaluronan at a weight ratio of 0.01-100:1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated microorganisms as well as strains and mutants thereof, biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, and cultures; methods of producing the microbial oils, biomasses, and mutants; and methods of using the isolated microorganisms, biomasses, and microbial oils.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating and preventing gut barrier dysfunction or an illness associated with gut barrier dysfunction in a subject comprising administering to the subject bacterium that produce an indole or an indole metabolite and for identifying compounds and bacteria for use in treatment and prevention of gut barrier dysfunction or an illness associated with gut barrier dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention relates to large-scale production of human antibodies by transgenic animals with high production of fully human IgG up to >10 g/L in sera with human IgG1 subclass dominancy. This invention also supports a feasibility of complex chromosome engineering for complicated genetic studies in non-murine mammalian species.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention describes materials and methods for the local reprogramming of cells in a location where the treatment is applied. The invention can be used to replace lost cells or to restore function to tissue damaged due to disease, injury or genetic defect. In various embodiments, the treatment includes a semisolid hydrogel embedded with liposomes. The liposomes can contain an effector molecule or molecules. When phagocytic cells such as monocytes infiltrate the hydrogel, they encounter the liposomes and incorporate the liposomes carrying the effector molecules into the cells. In some embodiments, the effector molecules can induce angiogenesis. The matrix can contain other effector molecules designed to attract specific cells to the matrix. The cells can also remain in the matrix and secret molecules such as proteins and hormones that will diffuse through the matrix material to the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of exosome-preparations derived from neonatal or adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem-cells (MSCs) for the prevention or for therapy of inflammatory conditions, such as, for example, pre- and postnatally acquired damages of the brain (i.e. neuronal damages) or in complications following stem cell transplantation (“graft vs host-disease”, GvHD).

Abstract: The present invention allows a TET1 protein to be more stably expressed in human pluripotent stem cells than in the past by, inter alia, substituting the second amino acid from the amino terminal of a TET1 protein with a different amino acid. Furthermore upon differentiation of said pluripotent stem cells, it is possible to quickly eliminate the expression of, inter alia, NANOG, which is an inhibitor of differentiation and promote the expression of factors related to differentiation by introducing a variant TET1 protein to a pluripotent stem cell. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing pluripotent stem cells with increased differentiation potential, and a substance that is useful to said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment that exploits tumor suppressor functions of DKK3b by site-specific delivery of DKK3b. Novel therapeutics and methods for treating tumors and cancers utilizing DKK3b tumor suppressor functions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a HSP27 mutation (S135F) mediated Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) animal model. Particularly, the vector expressing mutant HSP27 protein wherein the 135th serine is substituted with phenylalanine has been injected in the mouse zygote and then the mouse harboring the expression vector was selected. The selected mouse was confirmed to display Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease phenotype, so that the animal model was expected to be efficiently used for the evaluation of the effect of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease treating material candidates.

Abstract: Lentiviral packaging cells and methods for producing the same are provided herein. Specifically, lentiviral packaging cells capable of producing lentiviral vector suitable for use in clinical trials are provided. Methods for producing lentiviral packaging cells capable of producing lentiviral vector suitable for use in clinical trials are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF/FGF7) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof in the treatment of vaginal atrophy, dysuria, vaginal pain and/or vaginal dryness induced by a post-menopausal state, by surgical intervention, by illness and/or by chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments.

Abstract: This invention is intended to develop a promoter that can strongly induce marker gene expression throughout an embryo, so as to simply, efficiently, and accurately identify a transgenic insect at an early developmental stage, and to provide a gene expression vector into which such promoter has been incorporated as a transformant discrimination marker. Such exogenous gene expression vector comprises a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 as a promoter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a heterodimeric, conditionally active chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the CAR. The present disclosure provides cells genetically modified to produce the CAR. A CAR of the present disclosure can be used in various methods, which are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in part, a Paenibacillus sp. isolate, designated Paenibacillus polymyxa JB05-01-1, as well as an anti-microbial agent obtained from the bacterium or cell culture supernatant thereof. Compositions, methods and uses are also provided.

Abstract: The influence of TF, endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) and protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1) on tumor growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is disclosed. MPM cells that lack or express TF, EPCR or PAR1 and a murine orthotopic model of MPM led to the discovery that intrapleural administration into nude mice of REN MPM cells expressing TF and PAR1 but lacking EPCR and PAR2 generated large pleural cavity tumors. Suppression of TF or PAR1 expression markedly reduced tumor growth. Overexpression of TF in non-aggressive MPM cells expressing EPCR and PAR1 but exhibiting minimal levels of TF failed to alter their tumorigenicity. Introduction of EPCR expression in aggressive MPM cells attenuated tumor growth whereas EPCR silencing in non-aggressive MPM cells overexpressing TF increased tumorigenicity of non-aggressive cells. Expression of EPCR by MPM cells suppresses tumor growth and treats MPM.

Abstract: A method of generating neural stem cells or motor neurons is disclosed, the method comprising up-regulating a level of at least one exogenous miRNA and/or down-regulating at least one miRNA using an agent which hybridizes to the miRNA in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or down-regulating Related to testis-specific, vespid and pathogenesis protein 1 (RTVP-1).

Abstract: A method using yeast as a host for production of human ER chaperone proteins, using endogenous signal peptides of intracellular human proteins that are recognized and correctly processed in the yeast cells to subsequently lead to the secretion of the human proteins. The resultant proteins possessed native amino acid sequence and were biologically active. Moreover, secretion allowed simple one-step purification of native recombinant human proteins with high yields.

Abstract: The invention provides a replication-deficient serotype 28 adenoviral vector characterized by comprising a portion of a serotype 45 adenoviral hexon protein and/or a portion of a serotype 45 fiber protein in place of the endogenous serotype 28 hexon and/or fiber protein.