Abstract: BANF1, PPP2CA, and ANKLE2 were identified as genes that promote tau aggregation when disrupted. Improved tauopathy models such as cells, tissues, or animals having mutations in or inhibition of expression of BANF1 and/or PPP2CA and/or ANKLE2 are provided. Methods of using such improved tauopathy models for assessing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a tauopathy, methods of making the improved tauopathy models, and methods of accelerating or exacerbating tau aggregation in a tauopathy model are also provided.

Abstract: BANF1, PPP2CA, and ANKLE2 were identified as genes that promote tau aggregation when disrupted. Improved tauopathy models such as cells, tissues, or animals having mutations in or inhibition of expression of BANF1 and/or PPP2CA and/or ANKLE2 are provided. Methods of using such improved tauopathy models for assessing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a tauopathy, methods of making the improved tauopathy models, and methods of accelerating or exacerbating tau aggregation in a tauopathy model are also provided.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for inhibiting functions associated with Interleukin-8 (IL8). The methods and compositions may involve the use of aptamers for binding to IL8 and preventing or reducing association of IL8 with CXCR1, CXCR2, or both. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-terminal domain of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a hydrophobic pocket of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to an N-loop of IL8. The methods and compositions may include one or more aptamers that bind to a GAG binding site of IL8. The application further provides anti-IL8 aptamers for the treatment of ocular diseases or disorders. In some cases, the anti-IL8 aptamers may have a stem-loop secondary structure.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: BANF1, PPP2CA, and ANKLE2 were identified as genes that promote tau aggregation when disrupted. Improved tauopathy models such as cells, tissues, or animals having mutations in or inhibition of expression of BANF1 and/or PPP2CA and/or ANKLE2 are provided. Methods of using such improved tauopathy models for assessing therapeutic candidates for the treatment of a tauopathy, methods of making the improved tauopathy models, and methods of accelerating or exacerbating tau aggregation in a tauopathy model are also provided.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: Provided are chemically modified ribonucleic acid (RNA) aptamers comprising one or more of 2?F guanylate, 2?OMe cytidylate, 2?OMe adenylate, and a deoxy pyrimidine nucleotide with a moiety on the 5 position of the pyrimidine; and methods of making the aptamers.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.