Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for treating or preventing Huntington's disease (HD) in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutic agent that activates mTORC 1 function and/or increases Ras Homolog Enriched in Striatum (Rhes) level in the subject's brain as compared to the function or level in the subject prior to treatment, and methods for modulating mHTT-associated metabolic phenotypes and/or reversal of striatal atrophy by administering a therapeutic agent that activates mTORC1 function and/or increases Ras Homolog Enriched in Striatum (Rhes) level in the subject's brain as compared to the function or level in the subject prior to treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pseudotyped retrovirus-like particles or retroviral vectors comprising both engineered envelope glycoproteins derived from a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family fused to a cell targeting domain and fused to a functional domain. The present invention also relates to the use of said pseudotyped retrovirus-like particles or retroviral vectors to selectively modulate the activity of specific subsets of cells, in particular of specific immune cells. These pseudotyped retrovirus-like particles or retroviral vectors are particularly useful for gene therapy, immune therapy and/or vaccination.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to establish a cell line that is useful as a host cell for use in recombinant protein production, highly expresses transgenes stably, and grows stably. The present invention provides a method for establishing a cell line for recombinant protein production capable of stably expressing two or more foreign genes, comprising transferring a gene of a non-coding RNA suppressing the expression of NfkBia to a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making a vascularized hollow organ derived from human intestinal organoid (HIOs). The HIOs may be obtained from human embryonic stem cells (ESC's) and/or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), such that the HIO forms mature intestinal tissue. Also disclosed are methods for making a human intestinal tissue containing a functional enteric nervous system (ENS).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to gene therapy for treating ailments that can affect vision such as retinal degeneration, retinal dystrophy, macular degeneration, macular dystrophy, ischemic retinopathies, and glaucoma. Embodiments include systems and treatments that use AAV-mediated gene therapy or non AAV-mediated DNA, mRNA, or protein therapy to target all retinal cells. An AAV virion can be introduced (e.g., via intravitreal or subretinal injection) into an eye of an individual, or systemically, to express a heterologous gene product such as BMI1 protein (B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog).

Abstract: Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that exhibit a functional lack of one or more lncRNAs. Methods and compositions for disrupting, deleting, and/or replacing lncRNA-encoding sequences are provided. Genetically modified mice that age prematurely are provided. Also provided are cells, tissues and embryos that are genetically modified to comprise a loss-of-function of one or more lncRNAs.

Abstract: There is provided a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells by introduction of a Notch gene. Specifically, the invention provides a method of inducing differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells to neural cells or skeletal muscle cells in vitro, which method comprises introducing a Notch gene and/or a Notch signaling related gene into the cells, wherein the finally obtained differentiated cells are the result of cell division of the bone marrow stromal cells into which the Notch gene and/or Notch signaling related gene have been introduced. The invention also provides a method of inducing further differentiation of the differentiation-induced neural cells to dopaminergic neurons or acetylcholinergic neurons. The invention yet further provides a treatment method for neurodegenerative and skeletal muscle degenerative diseases which employs neural precursor cells, neural cells or skeletal muscle cells produced by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing induced neural stem cells which are reprogrammed from differentiated cells. The method of producing the induced neural stem cells according to the present invention enables preparation of the induced neural stem cells from non-neuronal cells using only two inducing factors of SOX2 and HMGA2. Therefore, the method of the present invention can prepare induced neural stem cells in a more efficient manner than the conventional methods, which use four or five inducing factors. Additionally, the method of the present invention shows significantly higher inducing efficiency and proliferation capacity than when only a single SOX2 gene is used, thus increasing its potency to be used for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a delivery vector for transferring a small peptide coding sequence to a cell for expression of the small peptide coding sequence within the cell. The delivery vector comprises a secretory signal sequence; a sequence encoding a carrier protein operatively associated with the secretory signal sequence; a sequence encoding a cleavage site operatively associated with the sequence encoding a carrier protein; and a sequence encoding a small peptide operatively associated with the sequence encoding a cleavage site.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) CD40, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adult stem cell line introduced with an HGF gene and a neurogenic transcription factor gene of a bHLH family, a preparation method of the adult stem cell line, a composition for the prevention or treatment of neurological diseases comprising the adult stem cell line, and a method for treating neurological diseases comprising the step of administering the composition to a subject having neurological diseases or suspected of having neurological diseases. The adult stem cells according to the present invention, which are introduced with an HGF gene and a neurogenic transcription factor gene of a bHLH family, can be used to overcome chronic impairment caused by cell death following stroke.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (i) performing adherent culture of pluripotent stem cells on an extracellular matrix in a medium containing a reagent(s) selected from the group consisting of BMP inhibitor, TGF? inhibitor, SHH signal-stimulating agent, FGF8, and GSK3? inhibitor; (ii) collecting Corin- and/or Lrtm1-positive cells from the cells obtained in Step (i) using a substance which binds to Corin and/or a substance which binds to Lrtm1; and (iii) performing suspension culture of the cells obtained in Step (ii) in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: High efficiency methods for producing retinal pigment epithelial cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are disclosed herein. The iPSCs are produced from somatic cells, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, such as fetal RPE stem cells. In some embodiments, the iPSC include a tyrosinase promoter operably linked to a marker. Methods are disclosed for using the RPE cells, such as for treatment. Methods for screening for agents that affect RPE differentiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells, which method comprises the steps of: (i) performing adherent culture of pluripotent stem cells on an extracellular matrix in a medium containing a reagent(s) selected from the group consisting of BMP inhibitor, TGF? inhibitor, SHH signal-stimulating agent, FGF8, and GSK3? inhibitor; (ii) collecting Corin- and/or Lrtm1-positive cells from the cells obtained in Step (i) using a substance which binds to Corin and/or a substance which binds to Lrtm1; and (iii) performing suspension culture of the cells obtained in Step (ii) in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel high avidity antigen recognizing constructs against Human Papilloma Virus antigens. The invention provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for HPV 16/18 proteins E5, E6 and E7. The TCR of the invention, and HPV antigen-binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection, as well as for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPV infection mediated secondary diseases as HPV infection caused cancers, such as cervical, nasopharyngeal or head and neck cancer. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the proteins of the invention, and recombinant cells expressing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generation, isolation, detection and/or analysis of cardiomyocytes derived from a starting cell composition comprising pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells, the method comprising the steps a) differentiating said pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells into cardiovascular cells, thereby generating a sample comprising cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes; and b) labeling the non-cardiomyocytes of said sample with more than one antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof specific for antigens of non-cardiomyocytes and c) depleting said labeled non-cardiomyocytes from said sample; and optionally d) labeling the cardiomyocytes of said sample with at least one antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof specific for antigen(s) of cardiomyocytes; and e) enriching said labeled cardiomyocytes and detecting and isolating cardiomyocyte subtypes derived from said pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing myocardial cells from pluripotent stem cells. The myocardial cell production method provided by the present invention includes supplying an artificially produced synthetic peptide to a cell culture that contains pluripotent stem cells. The synthetic peptide is a peptide that contains a myocardial cell differentiation-inducing peptide sequence that induces pluripotent stem cells into myocardial cells. The myocardial cell differentiation-inducing peptide sequence is an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of (i) an amino acid sequence constituting the signal peptide of any protein belonging to the amyloid precursor protein (APP) family, (ii) a partial amino acid sequence of the amino acid sequence according to (i), and (iii) a modified amino acid sequence from the amino acid sequence according to (i) or (ii).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell which comprises a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a signal transduction modifying protein, selected from one of the following: (i) a truncated protein which comprises an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), but lacks a kinase domain; (ii) a truncated protein which comprises an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) but lacks a phosphatase domain; (iii) a fusion protein which comprises (a) an SH2 domain from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) or from a protein which binds a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM); and (ii) a heterologous domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable and high-producing site-specific integration (SSI) host cells, e. g. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived host cells, methods to produce and to use them.

Abstract: Provided is a polynucleotide, including a cis-regulatory element and a nucleotide sequence encoding a vestigial like 4 protein, wherein the cis-regulatory element includes an uncoupling protein 1 enhancer and an uncoupling protein 1 promoter. Also provided is a viral vector including said polynucleotide. Also provided is a method of transfecting a cell or a subject with said polynucleotide or said viral vector.