Abstract: Provided is DNA that: encodes a coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) spike protein or a fragment thereof; and has been optimized to partially or fully exhibit a codon included in a DNA sequence.

Abstract: Provided is a nucleic acid construct for expressing a gene of interest, the nucleic acid construct comprising, in order from 5?-terminus, each sequence of: (a) a 5? long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence derived from a retrovirus; (b) a packaging signal sequence (IV) derived from a retrovirus; (c) a sequence or multiple cloning site of the gene of interest; (d) a post-transcriptional regulatory sequence (PRE); (e) an siRNA generating sequence which forms at least one stem-loop structure and in which RNA, which induces RNA interference in mammalian cells, is transcribed; and (f) a 3? LTR sequence derived form a retrovirus.

Abstract: A method for producing a nucleic acid-encapsulated adeno-associated virus (AAV) hollow particle, comprising the following steps: (1) preparing a linear nucleic acid fragment comprising a sequence for A region and a sequence for D? region in an AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR) (i.e., an AD sequence) or a sequence complementary to the AD sequence and a target gene sequence; (2) introducing the nucleic acid fragment prepared in step (1) into a cell capable of producing an AAV hollow particle; and (3) culturing the cell obtained in step (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid which encodes an adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein mutant that contains a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 15 to 62 or a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence produced by substituting, deleting, inserting and/or adding one or several amino acid residues in an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 15 to 62; DNA comprising the nucleic acid; a cell harboring the DNA; and a method for producing the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing endothelial cells, including carrying out: (a) inducing a population of mesoderm-lineage cells containing endothelial progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells without forming an embryoid body; and (b) culturing the population of mesoderm-lineage cells containing endothelial progenitor cells in the presence of RepSox, in this order. According to the present invention, endothelial cells with high quality can be efficiently produced from pluripotent stem cells. The endothelial cells obtained by the method of the present invention are useful for the production of, for example, a myocardial sheet, and expected to be utilized in the treatment of a heart disease. A myocardial sheet can be produced by mixing the endothelial cells obtained by the method of the present invention with myocardial cells and mural cells and culturing the cells.

Abstract: Stem cells can be efficiently proliferated by culturing the stem cells in the presence of a novel recombinant fibronectin fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a mutant of adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein, which contains at least one amino acid substitution in PLA2 domain when compared with the amino acid sequence for wild-type AAV capsid protein; a nucleic acid encoding the mutant; a cell containing the nucleic acid; a method for producing a recombinant AAV particle, comprising a step of culturing the cell to produce the recombinant AAV particle; a recombinant AAV particle containing the mutant; a composition containing the recombinant AAV particle; and a method for transferring a gene into a target cell, comprising a step of bringing the recombinant AAV particle into contact with the target cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a mutant of adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein, which contains at least one amino acid substitution in PLA2 domain when compared with the amino acid sequence for wild-type AAV capsid protein; a nucleic acid encoding the mutant; a cell containing the nucleic acid; a method for producing a recombinant AAV particle, comprising a step of culturing the cell to produce the recombinant AAV particle; a recombinant AAV particle containing the mutant; a composition containing the recombinant AAV particle; and a method for transferring a gene into a target cell, comprising a step of bringing the recombinant AAV particle into contact with the target cell.

Abstract: In the present invention, lymphocytes are efficiently grown by culturing lymphocytes in the presence of a novel recombinant fibronectin fragment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing endothelial cells, including carrying out: (a) inducing a population of mesoderm-lineage cells containing endothelial progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells without forming an embryoid body; and (b) culturing the population of mesoderm-lineage cells containing endothelial progenitor cells in the presence of RepSox, in this order. According to the present invention, endothelial cells with high quality can be efficiently produced from pluripotent stem cells. The endothelial cells obtained by the method of the present invention are useful for the production of, for example, a myocardial sheet, and expected to be utilized in the treatment of a heart disease. A myocardial sheet can be produced by mixing the endothelial cells obtained by the method of the present invention with myocardial cells and mural cells and culturing the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a mutant of adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein, which contains at least one amino acid substitution in PLA2 domain when compared with the amino acid sequence for wild-type AAV capsid protein; a nucleic acid encoding the mutant; a cell containing the nucleic acid; a method for producing a recombinant AAV particle, comprising a step of culturing the cell to produce the recombinant AAV particle; a recombinant AAV particle containing the mutant; a composition containing the recombinant AAV particle; and a method for transferring a gene into a target cell, comprising a step of bringing the recombinant AAV particle into contact with the target cell.

Abstract: The present invention produces a large number of mesenchymal stem cells in a short time in a medium containing no heterologous components by including a step for culturing a cell population containing mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of a fibronectin fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for efficiently manufacturing a non-enveloped virus with high purity without laborious operation by cultivating cells having the ability to produce a non-enveloped virus and bringing the cells and an acidic solution into contact with each other. A non-enveloped virus vector manufactured by the method of the present invention and a composition having the non-enveloped viral vector as an active ingredient are very useful as gene transfer methods in the fields of basic research and clinical application gene therapy.

Abstract: Provided are a production method for non-enveloped virus particles which is characterized in that a sample including non-envelopes virus particles is treated with PEG in at least two concentrations; a kit used in said production method; non-enveloped virus particles produced using said production method; and a pharmaceutical composition having the non-envelopes virus particles as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The invention provides an AAV particle containing an adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid protein having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 24, and SEQ ID NO: 30 of the sequence listing; a nucleic acid that encodes this capsid protein; DNA containing this nucleic acid; a cell containing this DNA; and a method for producing this cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression cassette comprising (1) an expression regulatory region having a sequence corresponding to a transcriptional activator-binding region and (2) a nucleic acid encoding a transcriptional activator which is capable of binding to the expression regulatory region, wherein the nucleic acid is operably linked to the expression regulatory region; a method for expressing a target product in a mammalian cell, a method for producing a cell expressing a target product, and a method for producing a target product in a mammalian cell using the expression cassette; and a kit comprising the expression cassette.

Abstract: A nucleic acid comprising a transcription regulation sequence whose transcription is induced by a trans-acting factor of a human immunodeficiency virus and a gene encoding a polypeptide having an endoribonuclease activity specific to single-stranded RNA, wherein the gene is located in such a position that the expression of the gene can be regulated by the transcription regulation sequence; a method for production of a cell showing an inhibited replication of a human immunodeficiency virus therein, the method comprising the step of introducing the nucleic acid into a cell; and a method for treatment or prevention of a human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Abstract: Provided are a production method for non-enveloped virus particles which is characterized in that a sample including non-envelopes virus particles is treated with PEG in at least two concentrations; a kit used in said production method; non-enveloped virus particles produced using said production method; and a pharmaceutical composition having the non-envelopes virus particles as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing cell populations having a high proportion of CD4-positive naive T cells and/or CD4-positive central memory T cells, and a production method thereof. The present invention provides a production method for CD4-positive T cell populations which is characterized by using anti-CD3 antibodies, fibronectin fragments, and Interleukin-4. The method is characterized not only by the attainment of a cell group with a high proportion of CD4-positive naive T cells and/or CD4-positive central memory T cells, but also by a high bulk yield.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the function of a T cell, which is characterized by inhibiting the expression of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and/or programmed death-1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) in the T cell. Also disclosed is a function-enhanced T cell which is produced by the function enhancement method. Further disclosed is a therapeutic agent comprising the function-enhanced T cell. The T cell can enhance an immune response to cancer, and is useful in an immunotherapy effective for cancer and the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.