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 herein are multi-functional particles. The particles may include poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-g-polyethylenimine (PLGA-g-PEI (PgP)), at least one targeting moiety, at least one therapeutic agent, and/or at least one nucleic acid. Also provided herein are methods of using the multi-functional particles.

Abstract: Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) have emerged as a class of promising anti-cancer and anti-infection biological drugs. They are capable of killing target cells, either cancer cells or microbe-infected cells, at levels of nanograms per milliliter serum in vivo, about 1e+5 folds more powerful than regular antibodies. To bypass the problems of high cost in production and inconvenience in administration, a logical solution is to use gene therapy vectors to produce them in vivo. In a series of preclinical studies, we have demonstrated that DNA MiniCircle was able to express far above therapeutic levels of bsAB persistently both in the presence as well as the absence of transfection co-factors. As a specific and intended improvement of the claimed invention, an enhanced form of bispecific antibodies incorporating a target cell-effector cell bridging device (BTEC) is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include microRNA antagonists, therapeutic compositions that include one or more of such microRNA antagonists, and methods of treating and/or ameliorating cardiac diseases and/or muscular dystrophy disorders with the microRNA antagonists. Also included are combination therapies, wherein a therapeutic composition disclosed herein and an additional therapy agent are provided to a subject having or suspected of having cardiac disease and/or muscular dystrophy disorder. In particular, some embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions and methods for transiently administering a mixture of microRNA antagonists for promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for regulating expression of DUX4. Specifically, the disclosure provides a recombinant gene editing complex comprising: a recombinant gene editing protein; and, a nucleic acid encoding a guide RNA (gRNA) that specifically hybridizes to a target nucleic acid sequence encoding a D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat region, wherein binding of the complex to the target nucleic acid sequence results in inhibition of DUX4 gene expression. In some aspects, methods described by the disclosure are useful for treating a disease associated with aberrant DUX4 expression (e.g., facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, FSHD).

Abstract: Methods for preparing particles and related compositions are provided. In some embodiments, the particles include at least one polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA), and in certain embodiments, the particles may include at least one ionizable molecule (e.g., a lipid). A method for preparing a suspension including the particles may comprise one or more filtration steps. In some such embodiments, prior to or during filtration, one or more properties of the particles (e.g., surface charge) and/or one or more properties of the suspension (e.g., pH) may be altered. In some embodiments, altering one or more properties of the particles and/or suspension may improve yield, improve a characteristic of the resulting composition, and/or prevent or reduce certain problems, such as fouling during the filtration process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for generating universal MHC/HLA-compatible hematopoietic progenitor cells and methods for generating custom patient-specific MHC/HLA-compatible hematopoietic progenitor cells. Compositions comprising the universal and custom hematopoietic progenitor cells and therapeutic applications thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of immunotherapy, in particular tumor immunotherapy. The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations for delivering RNA to antigen presenting cells such as dendrite cells (DCs) in the spleen after systemic administration. In particular, the formulations described herein enable to induce an immune response after systemic administration of antigen-coding RNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to Pompe disease and, in particular, to a methods of treating Pompe disease and to compounds/constructs suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides vaccine nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells, in some embodiments, comprising at least one immunomodulatory agent, and optionally comprising at least one targeting moiety and optionally at least one immunostimulatory agent. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive vaccine nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive vaccine nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The invention provides methods of prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions comprising administering at least one inventive vaccine nanocarrier to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of exosome delivery systems. In particular, compositions comprising adipose-derived exosomes that may be used as a delivery system are encompassed. The exosome delivery system can be used to deliver exogenous cargo such as miRNA and other inhibitory RNAs, as well as proteins, to target cells in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are placental stem cells that exhibit increased survival (“enhanced placental stem cells”), compositions comprising such placental stem cells, and methods of using such placental stem cells and compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a PPT1 polypeptide or a fragment thereof, vectors (viral or non-viral vectors) comprising the same, and methods of using the same for delivery of the open reading frame to a cell or a subject and to treat infantile neuronal lipofuscinosis (infantile Batten disease). The polynucleotides comprise an optimized CLN1 open reading frame.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture method comprising the step of culturing cells using a medium containing a laminin fragment having integrin binding activity, the method not comprising the step of coating a culture vessel with a laminin or a laminin fragment before seeding the cells in the culture vessel. The cell culture method of the present invention uses a smaller amount of a laminin fragment and still achieves a comparable culture efficiency as compared with the conventional cell culture method that uses a culture vessel precoated with a laminin or a laminin fragment.

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: Compositions and methods are provided for the inhibition, treatment and/or prevention of fragile X syndrome and related disorders.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the inhibition, treatment and/or prevention of Huntington's disease and related disorders.

Abstract: Materials and methods for producing genome-edited cells engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct on the cell surface, and materials and methods for genome editing to modulate the expression, function, or activity of one or more immuno-oncology related genes in a cell, and materials and methods for treating a patient using the genome-edited engineered cells.

Abstract: Provided herein is a nanopore structure, which in one aspect is a “carbon nanotube porin”, that comprises a short nanotube with an associated lipid coating. Also disclosed are compositions and methods enabling the preparation of such nanotube/lipid complexes. Further disclosed is a method for therapeutics delivery that involves a drug delivery agent comprising a liposome with a NT loaded with a therapeutic agent, introducing the therapeutic agent into a cell or a tissue or an organism; and subsequent release of the therapeutic agents into a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include microRNA antagonists, therapeutic compositions that include one or more of such microRNA antagonists, and methods of treating and/or ameliorating cardiac diseases and/or muscular dystrophy disorders with the microRNA antagonists. Also included are combination therapies, wherein a therapeutic composition disclosed herein and an additional therapy agent are provided to a subject having or suspected of having cardiac disease and/or muscular dystrophy disorder. In particular, some embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions and methods for transiently administering a mixture of microRNA antagonists for promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration.