Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding peptides, proteins, enzymes, and functional fragments thereof are disclosed. The polynucleotides of the disclosure can be effectively delivered to an organ, such as the lung, and expressed within cells of the organ. The polyribonucleotides of the disclosure can be used to treat a disease or condition associated with a gene of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family, such as ABCA3.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a xenohormetic induced phenotype in an organism are provided. Also provided are methods if using organisms having a known xenohormetically induced phenotype in a number of different applications, such as the identification of xenohormetic agents and the generation of chemical entities and foodstuffs under specific conditions of production governed by xenohormetic effects.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for expanding a population of electroporated T cells. The method includes electroporating a population of cells comprising T cells with mRNA encoding a chimeric membrane protein comprising an antigen binding domain to a molecule and an intracellular domain of a co-stimulatory molecule, wherein the cultured T cells expand at least 10 fold. The invention further includes an expanded population of T cells, compositions comprising the cells and methods of treatment.

Abstract: Polynucleotides comprising the following base sequences: (a) a base sequence encoding a fusion protein of a nuclease-deficient CRISPR effector protein and a transcription activator, and (b) a base sequence encoding a guide RNA targeting a continuous region of 18 to 24 nucleotides in length in a region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104, 105, 135, 141, 153, 167, or 172 in the expression regulatory region of human Utrophin gene are expected to be useful for treating or preventing DUCHENNE muscular dystrophy or BECKER muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA construct encoding one or more human IGF-1 isoforms that can be used for treatment of neuropathy. Further provided herein are a pharmaceutical composition including the DNA construct as an active ingredient and a method of administering the DNA construct for treatment of neuropathy. The present invention provides a safe and effective way of treating neuropathic patients.

Abstract: A method of producing a conditional knockout animal, and techniques related thereto, e.g., a method of efficiently producing a floxed animal, are provided. By introducing recombinase recognition sequences such as loxP into both ends of a target region on a chromosome at different timings, an animal having the pair of recombinase recognition sequences on the chromosome, such as a floxed animal, is produced.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lipid mixtures comprising lipidated cationic peptide compounds, such as tertiary amino lipidated and/or PEGylated cationic peptide compounds or lipitoids, for nucleic acid delivery. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lipid nanoparticle formulations comprising lipidated cationic peptide compounds and other lipid components including structural lipid, phospholipid and shielding lipids. The present disclosure also relates to methods of preparing and using the lipid mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention aims to obtain a method for quality evaluation of human mesenchymal stem cells, a method for isolation, selection and culture of human mesenchymal stem cells, a cell population of rapidly proliferating human mesenchymal stem cells, as well as monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize rapidly proliferating human mesenchymal stem cells. From a cell population containing human mesenchymal stem cells, rapidly proliferating human mesenchymal stem cells are isolated, selected and cultured. The abundance ratio of cells expressing Ror2 or Fzd5 in the cell population thus isolated, selected and cultured is quantified to determine whether or not each cell population is acceptable.

Abstract: Genetically modified cells that are compatible with multiple subjects, e.g., universal donor cells, and methods of generating said genetic modified cells are provided herein. The universal donor cells comprise at least one genetic modification within or near at least one gene that encodes a survival factor, wherein the genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a tolerogenic factor. The universal donor cells may further comprise at least one genetic modification within or near a gene that encodes one or more MHC-I or MHC-II human leukocyte antigens or a component or a transcriptional regulator of a MHC-I or MHC-II complex, wherein said genetic modification comprises an insertion of a polynucleotide encoding a second tolerogenic factor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions related to the modification of immune effector cells to increase therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, immune effector cells modified to reduce expression of one or more endogenous target genes, or to reduce one or more functions of an endogenous protein to enhance effector functions of the immune cells are provided. In some embodiments, immune effector cells further modified by introduction of transgenes conferring antigen specificity, such as exogenous T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are provided. Methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, using the modified immune effector cells described herein are also provided.

Abstract: A trifunctional molecule comprising a target-specific ligand, a ligand that binds a protein associated with the TCR complex and a T cell receptor signaling domain polypeptide is provided. Engineering T cells with this novel receptor engenders antigen specific activation of numerous T cell functions, including cytokine production, degranulation and cytolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Adeno-associated virus type 9 methods and materials useful for intrathecal delivery of polynucleotides. Use of the methods and materials is indicated, for example, for treatment of lower motor neuron diseases such as SMA and ALS as well as Pompe disease and lysosomal storage disorders. It is disclosed that administration of a non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast agent, together with a rAAV9 vector for the expression of Survival Motor Neuron protein, improves the survival of SMN mutant mice as compared to the administration of the expression vector alone.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with a metabolic imbalance in a subject (e.g., cancer). In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to a subject an N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-depleting agent or an N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-increasing agent based upon the subject's metabolic profile.

Abstract: The invention provides for delivery, engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are delivery systems and tissues or organ which are targeted as sites for delivery. Also provided are vectors and vector systems some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells to ensure enhanced specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity and to edit or modify a target site in a genomic locus of interest to alter or improve the status of a disease or a condition.

Abstract: A method for preparing a CKO/KI animal model by using Cas9 technology includes a Cas9 protein expressed and purified in vitro, high-efficiency sgRNA(s) screened by sgRNA cleavage efficiency test on embryos in advance, and single-stranded DNA as targeting vector(s) are mixed with Cas9 protein and sgRNA(s) and then subjected to embryo injection and transplantation; mice born after transplantation are marked as F0 and the genotype identification of F0 is carried out; sexually mature F0 with the correct genotype are bred, and the offspring mice thereof are marked as F1; and the F1 mice are analyzed and verified, and the F1 mice with the correct genotype are the prepared CKO/KI animal model.

Abstract: A potent short hairpin RNA (shRNA734) directed to human Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) improves the rate of gene-modified stem cell engraftment by a conditioning and in vivo selection strategy to confer resistance to a clinically available guanine analog antimetabolite, 6TG, for efficient positive selection of gene-modified stem cells. Uses for polynucleotides comprising the shRNA734 include methods for knocking down HPRT in a cell, for conferring resistance to a guanine analog antimetabolite in a cell, for producing selectable genetically modified cells, for selecting cells genetically modified with a gene of interest from a plurality of cells, for removing cells genetically modified with a gene of interest from a plurality of cells, and for treating a subject infected with HIV.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modified interleukin 12 (nsIL-12) and its gene, recombinant vector and use in manufacture of a medicament for treatment of tumors. When the oncolytic adenovirus vector carrying the modified interleukin 12 gene targets tumor tissue, the modified interleukin 12 is continuously expressed at a low level and mainly distributed in the local tumor tissue, which improves the specificity to tumor cells and reduces the systemic toxicity of interleukin 12; the modified interleukin 12 shows stronger inhibitory effect on tumor growth in intraperitoneally disseminated tumors and orthotopic tumors, and has low toxicity. The modified interleukin 12 armed oncolytic viruses show excellent anti-tumor effects, with a significant regression of tumors and lower toxicity compared with the existing IL-12 armed virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to defective interfering viruses and defective interfering virus RNAs that are effective as antiviral agents. The invention also relates to methods for identifying defective interfering virus RNAs that can be used as effective antiviral agents.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modified interleukin 12 (nsIL-12) and its gene, recombinant vector and use in manufacture of a medicament for treatment of tumors. When the oncolytic adenovirus vector carrying the modified interleukin 12 gene targets tumor tissue, the modified interleukin 12 is continuously expressed at a low level and mainly distributed in the local tumor tissue, which improves the specificity to tumor cells and reduces the systemic toxicity of interleukin 12; the modified interleukin 12 shows stronger inhibitory effect on tumor growth in intraperitoneally disseminated tumors and orthotopic tumors, and has low toxicity. The modified interleukin 12 armed oncolytic viruses show excellent anti-tumor effects, with a significant regression of tumors and lower toxicity compared with the existing IL-12 armed virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to modulate gene expression in vivo in a manner that avoids problems associated with CRISPR endogenous protein knock-out or knock-in strategies and strategies that provide for correction, or alteration, of single nucleotides. The invention includes inserting into the genome a nucleotide encoding a heterobifunctional compound targeting protein (dTAG) in-frame with the nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding an endogenously expressed protein of interest which, upon expression, produces an endogenous protein-dTAG hybrid protein. This allows for targeted protein degradation of the dTAG and the fused endogenous protein using a heterobifunctional compound.