Abstract: The invention relates to the skipping of the CEP290 exon 36 in an individual suffering from a retinal dystrophy accounted for by a nonsense mutation or a premature termination codon generated by a frameshift mutation in exon 36 or an upstream exon, including the c.4723A>T, c.4771C>T, c.4714G>T, c.4786_4790del, c.4791_4794del, c.4732G>T, c.4625_4626insCATG (35), c.4792_4795del, c.4801C>T, c.4805C>T, or c.4811G>A mutations, to bypass protein truncation and lessen retinal damages. Here, studying fibroblasts from control individuals, and two patients carrying the CEP290 c.4723A>T nonsense mutation, they show low levels of spontaneous skipping of exon 36 arising from both endogenous basal skipping and mutation-induced skipping. The minimally shortened and mutation-free CEP290 mRNA produced by skipping of exon 36 in the fibroblasts of the two patients is translated into a protein isoform that localizes at the centrosome and allows the formation of primary cilia, yet with elongated axonemes.

Abstract: A number of anti-angiogenic strategies connected with the VEGF signalling pathway are used in current clinical treatment or trial phase, but they either cause adverse effects or are not specific. Various strategies were aimed at identifying peptides inhibiting the VEGF-A165/NRP-1 interaction. A well-known antiangiogenic peptide is the heptapeptide termed “A7R” having the amino acid sequence ATWLPPR, for which various derivatives have been synthesized, which include peptides having the general sequence Lys(hArg)-AA2-AA3-Arg. However, the ability of the known peptides to inhibit the VEGF-A165/NRP-1 interaction was too low for their use as candidate drugs for inhibiting angiogenesis in subjects in need thereof. The present inventors have now conceived a family of novel peptide-like compounds having a nanomolar affinity for NRP-1, which are thus endowed with a powerful capacity to inhibit the VEGF-A165/NRP-1 interaction.

Abstract: Olmsted syndrome (OS) is a rare genodermatosis classically characterized by the combination of bilateral mutilating transgredient palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and periorificial keratotic plaques. The inventors obtained remarkable results with a treatment with a EGFR inhibitor (e.g. erlotinib) in 3 patients with Olmsted Syndrome and erythemalgia linked to different TRPV3 mutations. In less than 3 months, the drug induced a complete disappearance of the hyperkeratosis and the pain. Anorexia and insomnia disappeared with an improvement of the growth. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of EGFR inhibitors for the keratodermas.

Abstract: FGFR3-related chondrodysplasias represent a group of rare diseases. Among them, achondroplasia, a nonlethal form of chondrodysplasia, is the most common type of dwarfism. The mutation, which produce an increase of FGFR3 function, affects many tissues, most strikingly the cartilaginous growth plate and bone in the growing skeleton, leading to a variety of manifestations and complications. In attempt to find a new therapeutic approach for FGFR3-related chondrodysplasia, the inventors purified (?)-epicatechin from T. cacao and showed that (?)-epicatechin treatment significantly increases the length of the Fgfr3Y367C/+ femurs comparing to Fgfr3+/+ femurs and improves the whole growth plate cartilage. The present invention thus relates to the use of (?)-epicatechin for the treatment of FGFR3-related chondrodysplasias.

Abstract: FGFR3-related chondrodysplasias represent a group of rare diseases. Among them, achondroplasia, a nonlethal form of chondrodysplasia, is the most common type of dwarfism. The mutation, which produce an increase of FGFR3 function, affects many tissues, most strikingly the cartilaginous growth plate and bone in the growing skeleton, leading to a variety of manifestations and complications. In attempt to find a new therapeutic approach for FGFR3-related chondrodysplasia, the inventors purified (?)-epicatechin from T. cacao and showed that (?)-epicatechin treatment significantly increases the length of the Fgfr3Y367C/+ femurs comparing to Fgfr3+/+ femurs and improves the whole growth plate cartilage. The present invention thus relates to the use of (?)-epicatechin for the treatment of FGFR3-related chondrodysplasias.

Abstract: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is caused by a GAA repeat expansion in FXN gene that encodes a mitochondrial protein, frataxin, involved in iron sulfur complex (ISC) assembly. Frataxin deficiency results in abnormal ISC containing proteins, namely respiratory chain complex I-III and aconitases and accumulation of iron in brain and heart of patients. Here, the inventors show that FRDA fibroblasts are unable to limit iron uptake inducing a massive cytosolic iron accumulation and to a lesser extent in mitochondria. The inventors also observed increased transferrin receptor (TfR1) steady state levels and membrane TfR1 accumulation that they ascribed to impaired post-translational modification by palmitoylation as well as delayed transferrin recycling. Finally, the inventors showed that artesunate, dichloroacetate and Coenzyme-A improved TfR1 palmitoylation and thus represent candidate molecules for the treatment of patients with Friedreich ataxia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method of culturing a segmented filamentous bacterium strain, comprising co-culturing said segmented filamentous bacterium strain with a eukaryotic host cell, wherein the culture is performed at an O2 level inferior to 5% in a rich tissue culture liquid medium containing bacterial medium components including iron. The present invention also relates to methods for genetically modifying a segmented filamentous bacterium strain comprising a step a culturing the strain in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for performing antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping in the retina of a subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for performing antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping in a retina cell of a subject comprising the step of injecting into the vitreous of the subject an amount of the antisense oligonucleotide.

Abstract: A topical composition including erlotinib and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient for use in the treatment of a keratoderma in a child, preferably a palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK), wherein the composition is topically administered. The composition may further include a penetration enhancer. The treated subject may be younger than three years old. Also, woven or non-woven fabric support including erlotinib and to dressings, patches, gloves and socks having the support useful in the treatment of a PPK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases mediated by the NRP-1/OBR complex signaling pathway. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of cancers, obesity and obesity related diseases, anorexia, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the subject with a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of the NRP-1/OBR signaling pathway.

Abstract: The inventors demonstrate for the first time the activation of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway in normal and abnormal human mast cells (MCs). These results prompt the inventors to explore the consequence of the inhibition of the HH pathway, especially the canonical pathway, on MC proliferation. They demonstrate that Hedgehog inhibitors inhibit proliferation and induces apoptosis of mast cells. Accordingly the present invention relates to a method of treating a mast cell disease in a patient in need there of comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a Hedgehog inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of systemic mastocytosis. The inventors showed the effect of KPT-251 treatment on SCF-dependent human Mast cell (MC) line without KIT mutation (WT ROSA) and on two factor-independent MC lines with KIT mutations : ROSA ? 417-419 insY and ROSA D816V. KPT is a Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) that specifically inhibits the activity of the exportin-1 (XPO1). KPT-251 treatment induces minimal toxicity in non-cancerous hematopoietic cells both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, the present invention relates a method of treating systemic mastocytosis in patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a XPO1 inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating rhabdomyolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents capable of inhibiting the binding between Leptin and Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and uses thereof in the therapeutic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method of culturing a segmented filamentous bacterium strain, comprising co-culturing said segmented filamentous bacterium strain with a eukaryotic host cell, wherein the culture is performed at an O2 level inferior to 5% in a rich tissue culture liquid medium containing bacterial medium components including iron. The present invention also relates to methods for genetically modifying a segmented filamentous bacterium strain comprising a step a culturing the strain in vitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of beta-thalassemias. In particular, the present invention relates to an XPO1 inhibitor for use in a method for treating beta-thalassemia in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions designed to intervene in this defective process and to promote or restore erythrocyte maturation in individuals suffering from a myelodysplastic syndrome. The methods involve maintaining the activity of GATA-1 by preventing sequestration of Hsp70 in the cytoplasm. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide methods of restoring or increasing erythrocyte maturation in a subject suffering from a myelodysplastic syndrome by preventing proteolytic inactivation of GATA-1. In some embodiments, preventing is achieved by administering to the subject a compound that inhibits the XPO1 nuclear transporter.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of ?-thalassemia are provided. Methods and compositions restore or increase erythrocyte maturation in individuals afflicted with ?-TM by preventing proteolysis of GATA-1 protein. Screening methods for identifying agents which bind heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and inhibit HSP-70 ?-globin binding, but which allow GATA-1 protein-HSP-1 binding in a manner that prevents GATA-1 proteolysis.