Abstract: There is provided an analyzer which detects an initial stage of cartilage degeneration due to a disease such as osteoarthritis. One aspect of the present invention relates to a cartilage degeneration analyzer having a processor which includes an index calculator configured to calculate on the basis of a Raman spectrum obtained by Raman spectrometry in which excitation light is irradiated to cartilage of a subject, a value representing at least one index from a group consisting of Index (a): secondary structure of collagen, Index (b): hydration level of collagen, Index (c): composition and total amount of glycosaminoglycan, and Index (d): level of glycosylation of protein and total amount of glycosaminoglycan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized mRNA including mRNA and double-stranded RNA including at least one RNA oligomer hybridized with mRNA. Functionalized mRNA is provided according to this configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized mRNA including mRNA and double-stranded RNA including at least one RNA oligomer hybridized with mRNA. Functionalized mRNA is provided according to this configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyion complex which can efficiently deliver mRNA into a living body as well as a therapeutic agent and a therapeutic method of arthropathy in which the polyion complex is used. For example, there is provided a polyion complex comprising a cationic polymer and mRNA, wherein the cationic polymer is a polymer comprising a cationic unnatural amino acid as a monomer unit and the cationic unnatural amino acid is an amino acid having a group represented by —(NH—(CH2)2)p—NH2, wherein p is 2, 3 or 4, as a side chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized mRNA including mRNA and double-stranded RNA including at least one RNA oligomer hybridized with mRNA. Functionalized mRNA is provided according to this configuration.

Abstract: A polyion complex of mRNA and a polycationic polymer, and a composition and a pharmaceutical composition for mRNA delivery are provided. The polyion complex of mRNA and the polycationic polymer can deliver mRNA into cells in the body of a subject almost without inducing inflammation. The polyion complex can then cause mRNA to be uniformly expressed in cells in the body of the subject. The pharmaceutical composition containing the polyion complex is suitable for use in treating a disease whose condition rapidly progresses or an acute disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyion complex which can efficiently deliver mRNA into a living body as well as a therapeutic agent and a therapeutic method of arthropathy in which the polyion complex is used. For example, there is provided a polyion complex comprising a cationic polymer and mRNA, wherein the cationic polymer is a polymer comprising a cationic unnatural amino acid as a monomer unit and the cationic unnatural amino acid is an amino acid having a group represented by —(NH—(CH2)2)p—NH2, wherein p is 2, 3 or 4, as a side chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving protein expression and a composition for protein expression. The composition is a composition for use in expressing a target protein, the composition comprising an mRNA encoding the target protein, wherein 80% or more of the mRNA molecules contained in the composition have a sequence consisting substantially of poly(A) having a length of 230 to 250 nucleotides on the 3?-end side of the protein-coding region thereof.

Abstract: A polyion complex of mRNA and a polycationic polymer, and a composition and a pharmaceutical composition for mRNA delivery are provided. The polyion complex of mRNA and the polycationic polymer can deliver mRNA into cells in the body of a subject almost without inducing inflammation. The polyion complex can then cause mRNA to be uniformly expressed in cells in the body of the subject. The pharmaceutical composition containing the polyion complex is suitable for use in treating a disease whose condition rapidly progresses or an acute disease.

Abstract: An excellent nucleic acid delivery composition is provided which has reduced cytotoxicity and improved nucleic acid introduction efficiency and gene expression efficiency. The composition comprises: a block copolymer having an uncharged hydrophilic polymer segment and a cationic polymer segment; a cationic polymer; and a nucleic acid, wherein the mol percentage (B/H ratio) of the cationic groups of the block copolymer to the total cationic groups of the block copolymer and the cationic polymer is between 25% and 90%.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a gene delivery system with higher safety and higher sustainability, which is effective for the treatment of ischemic diseases and the like, and the like. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, a polyanionic substance that suppresses expression of PHD2, and containing a polyion complex of the polyanionic substance and a polycation chargeable polymer.

Abstract: Facing no ethical obstacle and easily to be isolated, multipotent concretely mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most powerful tools in reconstructive medicine. Here the inventors introduced 3D multicelluar spheroids culture construction based on photolithography and micropatterning techniques to improve multipotent differentiation efficiency of MSCs to adult cells. This invention, the 3D spheroid cultured construction for MSCs, leads to great improve of the differentiation efficiency. This invention relates to a cultured cell construct comprising a support; at least one island on the support; a hydrophilic and cytophobic substance applied on the surface of said support so as to encircle the island; and a spheroid which is derived from MSCs, said spheroid being in contact with the island.

Abstract: An excellent nucleic acid delivery composition is provided which has reduced cytotoxicity and improved nucleic acid introduction efficiency and gene expression efficiency. The composition comprises: a block copolymer having an uncharged hydrophilic polymer segment and a cationic polymer segment; a cationic polymer; and a nucleic acid, wherein the mol percentage (B/H ratio) of the cationic groups of the block copolymer to the total cationic groups of the block copolymer and the cationic polymer is between 25% and 90%.

Abstract: The invention provides block copolymers formed of poly(ethylene glycol) segments and poly(amino acid derivative) segments having side chains of at least one kind of specific amine residue. The invention also provides polyion complexes of such copolymers with polynucleotides and the like. These block copolymers are useful as carriers for in vivo delivery of active substances such as DNA.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a gene delivery system with higher safety and higher sustainability, which is effective for the treatment of ischemic diseases and the like, and the like. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, a polyanionic substance that suppresses expression of PHD2, and containing a polyion complex of the polyanionic substance and a polycation chargeable polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for the delivery of nucleic acid to target cells or tissues, which comprises a polycationically charged polymer as a carrier of nucleic acid. The polycationically charged polymer is a polymer which may comprise a charged polymer segment having a main chain based on poly(amino acid), polysaccharide, polyester, polyether, polyurethane or vinyl polymer and having, as a side chain, a group of formula —NH—(CH2)a—(NH(CH2)2)e—NH2 (wherein a and e independently denote an integer of 1 to 5) which is connected to the main chain either directly or via a linker. The disclosed composition has low toxicity, and has a high efficiency in introducing nucleic acid into cells.

Abstract: The invention provides block copolymers formed of poly(ethylene glycol) segments and poly(amino acid derivative) segments having side chains of at least one kind of specific amine residue. The invention also provides polyion complexes of such copolymers with polynucleotides and the like. These block copolymers are useful as carriers for in vivo delivery of active substances such as DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides block copolymers formed of poly(ethylene glycol) segments and poly(amino acid derivative) segments having side chains of at least one kind of specific amine residue. The invention also provides polyion complexes of such copolymers with polynucleotides and the like. These block copolymers are useful as carriers for in vivo delivery of active substances such as DNA.

Abstract: Facing no ethical obstacle and easily to be isolated, multipotent concretely mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most powerful tools in reconstructive medicine. Here the inventors introduced 3D multicelluar spheroids culture construction based on photolithography and micropatterning techniques to improve multipotent differentiation efficiency of MSCs to adult cells. This invention, the 3D spheroid cultured construction for MSCs, leads to great improve of the differentiation efficiency. This invention relates to a cultured cell construct comprising a support; at least one island on the support; a hydrophilic and cytophobic substance applied on the surface of said support so as to encircle the island; and a spheroid which is derived from MSCs, said spheroid being in contact with the island.

Abstract: A composition for the delivery of nucleic acid to target cells or tissues, which comprises polycationically charged polymer as a carrier of nucleic acid is provided. Said polycationically charged polymer is a polymer which may comprise a charged polymer segment having a main chain based on poly(amino acid), polysaccharide, polyester, polyether, polyurethane or vinyl polymer and having, as a side chain, a group of formula —NH—(CH2)a—(NH(CH2)2)e—NH2 (wherein a and e independently denote an integer of 1 to 5) which is connected to said main chain either directly or via a linker. This composition is low-toxic, and has a high efficiency in introducing nucleic acid into cells.