Abstract: Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a humanized albumin (ALB) locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. Non-human animal cells or non-human animals comprising a humanized albumin locus express a human albumin protein or a chimeric albumin protein, fragments of which are from human albumin. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals comprising a humanized albumin locus to assess in vivo efficacy of human-albumin-targeting reagents such as nuclease agents designed to target human albumin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of culturing primitive macrophages from stem cells. Specifically, the method comprises contacting and incubating stem cells with a serum-free culture media comprising a GSK3 inhibitor to differentiate stem cells into cell of the mesoderm lineage, contacting and incubating cells of the mesoderm lineage with a culture media comprising DKK1 to differentiate the cells into the hematopoietic lineage, maturing the cells of the hematopoietic lineage and contacting and incubating these cells with a culture media comprising M-CSF to drive differentiation into primitive-like macrophages. The invention also relates to a primitive-like macrophage, use of the primitive-like macrophage and a kit when used in the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present application provides materials and methods for treating a patient with a titin-based myopathy, particularly a titin-based cardiomyopathy, and/or other titinopathy. In addition, the present application provides materials and methods for editing the titin gene in a cell by genome editing.

Abstract: A method for inducing reprogramming of a cell of a first type which is not a non-hepatocyte (non-hepatocyte cell), into a cell with functional hepatic drug metabolizing and transporting capabilities, is disclosed. The non-hepatocyte is induced to express or overexpress hepatic fate conversion and maturation factors, cultured in somatic cell culture medium, hepatocyte cell culture medium and hepatocyte maturation medium for a sufficient period of time to convert the non-hepatocyte cell into a cell with hepatocyte-like properties. The iHeps induced according to the methods disclosed herein are functional induced hepatocytes (iHeps) in that they express I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes and phase III drug transporters and show superior drug metabolizing activity compared to iHeps obtained by prior art methods. The iHeps thus provide a cell resource for pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: A preparation method of an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-induced autoimmune myocarditis model is provided, including: mediating a model with adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) to achieve the high expression of PDL1 in a myocardial tissue, and applying an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAb to the model with high PDL1 expression in the myocardial tissue for modeling. The present disclosure also provides use of an animal model prepared by the preparation method. The model prepared by the present disclosure truly simulates the pathogenesis and clinical course of autoimmune myocarditis in a patient administered with an anti-PD1/PD-L1 mAb, is close to a pathophysiological status of a clinical patient, has a high modeling rate, and can be dynamically monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted, nuclease-mediated insertion of transgene sequences into the genome of a cell.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to genetically modified rodent animals and rodent models of human diseases. More specifically, this disclosure relates to genetically modified rodents whose genome comprises a humanized Il1rl2 gene (coding for the IL1rl2 subunit of the IL-36R protein) and human IL-36?, ? and ? ligand genes. The genetically modified rodents disclosed herein display enhanced skin and intestinal inflammation as a preclinical model of psoriasis and IBD, respectively, and serve as a rodent model of human DITRA disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recombinant adenovirus genome, said adenovirus genome comprising a heterologous nucleic acid inserted into a cloning site of said genome, said heterologous nucleic acid comprising: (a) a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an adenovirus tripartite sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1) operably linked to a second nucleic acid sequence encoding an interferon (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2); (b) a third nucleic acid sequence comprising a bovine growth hormone polyA termination sequence operably linked to said second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3); (c) a fourth nucleic acid sequence comprising a porcine elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1?) promoter (e.g., SEQ ID NO:4); (d) a fifth nucleic acid sequence operably linked to said fourth nucleic acid sequence, said fifth nucleic acid sequence encoding a suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) protein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:5). Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of producing interferon in an animal (e.g., swine).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to the in vivo testing of therapeutic agents comprising a human Fc in genetically modified rodents (e.g., the testing of the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic properties of such a therapeutic agent in genetically modified rodents). In some embodiments the genetically modified rodents express antibodies comprising a human Fc (e.g., a human IgG1 Fc, a human IgG4 Fc). In some embodiments, the rodents express fully human antibodies (i.e., antibodies having human heavy chains and human light (? or ?) chains). In certain embodiments the genetically modified rodents comprise one or more Fc receptors with a human extracellular domain (e.g., a Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn), a ?-2-microglobulin polypeptide (?2M), a Fc ? receptor 1? (Fc?R1?), a Fc ? receptor 1 alpha (Fc?R1a), a Fc gamma receptor 2a (Fc?R2a), a Fc gamma receptor 2b (Fc?R2b), a Fc gamma receptor 3a (Fc?R3a), a Fc gamma receptor 3b (Fc?R3b), a Fc gamma receptor 2c (Fc?R2c)).

Abstract: Genetically engineered hematopoietic cells such as hematopoietic stem cells having one or more genetically edited genes of lineage-specific cell-surface proteins and therapeutic uses thereof, either alone or in combination with immune therapy that targets the lineage-specific cell-surface proteins.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates methods and compositions useful for prevention of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) in animals, including animals of the species Sus scrofa. The present teachings relate to swine wherein at least one allele of a CD163 gene has been inactivated, and to specific methods and nucleic acid sequences used in gene editing to inactivate the CD163 gene. Swine wherein both alleles of the CD163 gene are inactivated are resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). Elite lines comprising homozygous CD163 edited genes retain their superior properties.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for producing human hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Also provided are transgenic rats for the expansion of human hepatocytes, such as those produced using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, or chemokines. Provided are nucleic acids (e.g., expression vectors) that include an NF?B inflammation response element operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine (e.g., IL-4). In some cases, the nucleic acid is an expression vector selected from: a linear expression vector, a circular expression vector, a plasmid, and a viral expression vector. Also provided are cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells—MSCs) comprising a nucleic acid that includes an NF?B inflammation response element operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an anti-inflammatory cytokine. In some cases, the nucleic acid is integrated into the cell's genome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for improved wound healing. In particular, provided herein are compositions and methods for the direct delivery of Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) or vectors encoding Sirt1 to the wounds (e.g., of diabetic patients).

Abstract: The invention provides a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises in its genome unrearranged T cell receptor variable gene loci, as well as embryos, cells, and tissues comprising the same. Also provided are constructs for making said genetically modified non-human animal and methods of making the same. Various methods of using the genetically modified non-human animal are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a promoter having at least the core components of a duck retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) promoter, as well as expression constructs having the duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein), and recombinant host cells containing the duck RIG-I promoter, e.g., in such expression constructs. The present disclosure also provide animals genetically modified to have a gene encoding a duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein, such as a duck RIG-I protein).

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently manufacturing high-purity peripheral nerve cells from undifferentiated cells. The method for manufacturing peripheral nerve cells from undifferentiated cells having an ability to differentiate into peripheral nerve cells includes the following steps (a) and (b): (a) culturing undifferentiated cells having an ability to differentiate into peripheral nerve cells to induce differentiation into neural progenitor cells without detaching a grown colony from a culture vessel; and (b) detaching the neural progenitor cells produced in the step (a) from the culture vessel, then seeding the cells at a seeding density of 2×105 to 6×105 cells/cm2 to a culture vessel, and culturing the cells for 14 to 42 days.

Abstract: Methods for treating, and for identifying novel treatments for, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as animal and cellular models.

Abstract: The invention provides an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector comprising a capsid comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 9, wherein the AAV vector further comprises a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, and wherein the heterologous nucleic acid sequence can encode the NGF-PTH fusion polypeptide or methylmalonyl CoA mutase enzyme. The invention also provides a polypeptide comprising nerve growth factor (NGF) signal peptide and parathyroid hormone (PTH), wherein the polypeptide can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid, and a composition comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acid, or vector, as well as treatment methods comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acid, vector, or composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell cultures comprising dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells and methods of producing the same. Also disclosed herein are cell populations comprising substantially purified dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells as well as methods for enriching, isolating and purifying dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells from other cell types. Methods of identifying differentiation factors capable of promoting the differentiation of dorsal and/or ventral PDX1-positive foregut endoderm cells, are also disclosed.