Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject with an effective amount of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist and an effective amount of an ALK5 antagonist. In certain aspects, the OXTR agonist may be oxytocin or an oxytocin analog (e.g., a small molecule). The ALK 5 antagonist may be a small molecule, such as 2-(3-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine, LY2157299, A 83-01, D 4476, GW 788388, LY 364947, RepSox, SB 431542, SB 505124, SB 525334, or SD 208. In certain aspects, the amounts of the OXTR agonist and ALK5 antagonist may be sufficient to induce muscle regeneration and/or neural cell regeneration in the subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells, when administered via intravitreal injection, compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide-polymer conjugates. A subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate is useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides cellularized hydrogels containing cells encapsulated in linked polymers of hyaluronic acid, heparin and other components as described herein. Such cellularized hydrogels find use in variety of purposes including effective transplantation of cells into a host organism for cell therapy and the derivation of desired cell types. Other purposes include but are not limited to use as a tissue model for the in vitro study of cellular responses and behaviors. The instant disclosure also provides methods, including methods of making and using the described cellularized hydrogels. Also provided are kits that include components for making and/or using cellularized hydrogels e.g., according to the methods as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provide methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells, when administered via intravitreal injection, compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions with altered capsid protein, where the AAV virions exhibit greater infectivity of retinal cells, when administered via intravitreal injection, compared to wild-type AAV. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to a retinal cell in an individual, and methods of treating ocular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide-polymer conjugates. A subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate is useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating an ocular disease or disorder. The methods involve direct administration into the eye of a conjugate comprising a biologically active polypeptide and a biocompatible polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a three-dimensional culture system comprising a biocompatible polymer and a combination of factors in an amount effective to induce differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursors and/or oligodendrocytes from pluripotent stem cells. The present disclosure provides methods of generating oligodendrocyte precursors and/or oligodendrocytes using a three-dimensional culture system of the present disclosure. The present disclosure provides methods to treat neurological diseases and demyelinating diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermoreversible polymers, hydrogel compositions comprising the thermoreversible polymers, as well as methods of making and using the thermoreversible polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant adeno-associated virus (AAV) that exhibit altered capsid properties, e.g., reduced binding to neutralizing antibodies in serum and/or altered heparin binding and/or altered infectivity of particular cell types. The present invention further provides libraries of mutant AAV comprising one or more mutations in a capsid gene. The present invention further provides methods of generating the mutant AAV and mutant AAV libraries, and compositions comprising the mutant AAV. The present invention further provides recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions that comprise a mutant capsid protein. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences that encode mutant capsid proteins, and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide-polymer conjugates. A subject polypeptide-polymer conjugate is useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions comprising a variant AAV capsid protein, e.g., an AAV capsid protein derived from an ancestral AAV capsid protein amino acid sequence. An rAAV virion of the present disclosure can exhibit greater infectivity of a target cell. The present disclosure also provides methods of delivering a gene product to a target cell in an individual by administering to the individual an rAAV of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also provides methods of generating rAAV virions that have a variant AAV capsid protein derived from an ancestral AAV capsid protein amino acid sequence.