Abstract: Disclosed herein are RNA polynucleotides comprising a 5? Cap, a 5? UTR comprising a cap proximal sequence disclosed herein, and a sequence encoding a payload. Also disclosed herein are compositions and medical preparations comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A method for non-enzymatic 3D culture and amplification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) includes the followings steps: preparing PLGA porous microspheres; preparing a PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermosensitive coating microcarrier; culturing and amplifying MSCs; and performing non-enzymatic separation of MSCs, including reducing a culture temperature to below a critical phase transition temperature, and centrifuging a culture medium to collect stem cells. The present invention adopts the method for non-enzymatic 3D culture and amplification of MSCs, wherein the PLGA porous microspheres are used as a cell culture microcarrier scaffold and the thermosensitive hydrogel PLGA-PEG-PLGA is coated on surfaces of such microspheres, without needing additional enzymolysis process, thus efficiently amplifying the stem cells.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a subject by introducing the DRB1*04:01K71E mutation that is resistant to RA. The resistant allele is introduced into the subject having or at risk of developing RA, using a HLA CRISPR/Cas9 vector that targets codon 71 in the HLA allele DRB1*04:01, introducing a single A to G point mutation in codon 71 by homology directed repair to alter the lysine at position 71 of the expressed protein to glutamic acid. This modified allele is affected in the subject's hematopoietic stem cells, which are then expanded and transplanted back into the patient. This microgene therapy confers RA-resistance via an autologous transplant. The invention includes isolated nucleic acids, vectors, recombinant viruses, cells, and pharmaceutical compositions to modify the HLA DRB1*04:01 allele.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an agent for restoring a visual function or an agent for preventing the deterioration in a visual function, which has an excellent visual function restoring ability. The agent for regenerating a visual function or the agent for preventing the deterioration in a visual function according to the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, a chimeric protein having both an amino acid sequence for a microorganism-origin ion-transporting receptor rhodopsin and an amino acid sequence for an animal-origin G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin. The chimeric protein is preferably one in which an amino acid sequence for a cytoplasm-side second loop and/or a cytoplasm-side third loop in the amino acid sequence for the microorganism-origin ion-transporting receptor rhodopsin is substituted by an amino acid sequence for a cytoplasm-side second loop and/or a cytoplasm-side third loop in the G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin.

Abstract: Provided is RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of from 5 ?g to 100 ?g or at a dose between 0.1 ?g per kilogram body mass of the large mammal and 1.5 ?g per kilogram body mass of the large mammal. Provided is a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the large mammal a dose of from 5 ?g to 100 ?g or a dose of between 0.1 ?g of RNA encoding the immunogen per kilogram body mass of the large mammal and 1.5 ?g of RNA encoding the immunogen per kilogram body mass of the large mammal. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g. Thus the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g. Thus, the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides CasX proteins, nucleic acids encoding the CasX proteins, and modified host cells comprising the CasX proteins and/or nucleic acids encoding same. CasX proteins are useful in a variety of applications, which are provided. The present disclosure provides CasX guide RNAs that bind to and provide sequence specificity to the CasX proteins, nucleic acids encoding the CasX guide RNAs, and modified host cells comprising the CasX guide RNAs and/or nucleic acids encoding same. CasX guide RNAs are useful in a variety of applications, which are provided. The present disclosure provides archaeal Cas9 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding same, as well as their associated archaeal Cas9 guide RNAs and nucleic acids encoding same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that rapidly and selectively modify hematopoietic stem cells (or cells derived therefrom) to achieve therapeutic objectives by providing for transient expression of nucleic acids are described. The transient expression leads to permanent therapeutic changes in the modified cells, referred to herein as “hit and run” effects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand binding molecules and uses thereof to modulate angiogenesis and/or lymphangiogenesis.

Abstract: The present application is directed to bispecific polypeptides comprising a first domain binding an antigen on an antigen presenting cell (ARC) and a second domain binding an antigen on an immune cell expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells used in producing the polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed. Compositions comprising the bispecific polypeptides and methods of treating cancer and stimulating activation and expansion of immune cells in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: A specialized immunonutrition supplement can be administered to a surgical patient to reduce post-operative complications by restraining the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The supplement includes one or more of L-arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and dietary nucleotides, preferably all four of these compounds. The supplement is administered to the patient at least once per day for a time period extending from a pre-operative day that is three to seven days prior to a bladder surgery of the patient to a post-operative day that is three to seven days after the bladder surgery. The supplement can be administered to treat or prevent post-operative paralytic ileus in a bladder cancer patient; treat or prevent surgery-induced, inflammation-induced or cancer-induced cachexia; reduce the incidence of chronic infections resulting from expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in a patient; and/or reduce mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in a patient.

Abstract: A population of genetically engineered T cells, comprising a disrupted Reg1 gene and/or a disrupted TGFBRII gene. Such genetically engineered T cells may comprise further genetic modifications, for example, a disrupted CD70 gene. The population of genetically engineered T cells exhibit one or more of (a) improved cell growth activity; (b) enhanced persistence; and (c) reduced T cell exhaustion, (d) enhanced cytotoxicity activity, (e) resistant to inhibitory effects induced by TGF-b, and (f) resistant to inhibitory effects by fibroblasts and/or inhibitory factors secreted thereby, as compared to non-engineered T cell counterparts.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g. Thus the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a somatic cell including converting a differentiated somatic cell of a mammal to other somatic cell by culturing the differentiated somatic cell in a medium for inducing differentiation of the somatic cell other than the differentiated somatic cell in the presence of a TGF-? pathway inhibitor.

Abstract: RNA encoding an immunogen is delivered to a large mammal at a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g. Thus the invention provides a method of raising an immune response in a large mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a dose of between 2 ?g and 100 ?g of immunogen-encoding RNA. Similarly, RNA encoding an immunogen can be delivered to a large mammal at a dose of 3 ng/kg to 150 ng/kg. The delivered RNA can elicit an immune response in the large mammal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wound treatment and therapy and the promotion of tissue regeneration following injury. In particular, it relates to a microRNA-146a and nanoceria conjugate for improving wound healing and, in some embodiments, preventing adverse ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for inhibiting a cancer cell using nucleic acid sequences encoding elephant p53 or elephant p53 amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel library for the generation of muteins and to novel muteins derived from human lipocalin 2 (Lcn2, hNGAL) and related proteins that bind a given target with detectable affinity. The invention also relates to corresponding nucleic acid molecules encoding such a mutein and to a method for their generation. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutein. For example, such muteins may serve to bind and deplete pathological forms of natural biomolecules such as the amyloid beta peptide in Alzheimer's disease or may target the fibronectin extra-domain B, which is associated with tumor neovasculature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector comprising (a) a variant AAV2 capsid protein, wherein the variant AAV2 capsid protein comprises at least four amino acid substitutions with respect to a wild type AAV2 capsid protein; wherein the at least four amino acid substitutions are present at the following positions in an AAV2 capsid protein sequence: 457, 492, 499 and 533; and (b) a heterologous nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product.