Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of medicine and biotechnology. In particular, it relates to novel antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) that may be used in the treatment, prevention and/or delay of Stargardt disease and/or ABCA4-associated eye disease. More in particular, the invention relates to AONs that are used in inhibiting or blocking exon 39 skipping in the human ABCA4 pre-mRNA.

Abstract: The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) comprising repetitive trinucleotide units for use in the treatment or prevention of genetic eye diseases, preferably eye dystrophy disorders caused by RNA toxicity such as Fuch's Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). The oligonucleotides of the present invention are used to target trinucleotide repeat (TNR) sequence expansions present in intron sequences, to prevent the disease-related sequestration of cellular proteins that interact with such TNR expansions.

Abstract: The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) comprising repetitive trinucleotide units for use in the treatment or prevention of genetic eye diseases, preferably eye dystrophy disorders caused by RNA toxicity such as Fuch's Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). The oligonucleotides of the present invention are used to target trinucleotide repeat (TNR) sequence expansions present in intron sequences, to prevent the disease-related sequestration of cellular proteins that interact with such TNR expansions.

Abstract: The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) comprising repetitive trinucleotide units for use in the treatment or prevention of genetic eye diseases, preferably eye dystrophy disorders caused by RNA toxicity such as Fuch's Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). The oligonucleotides of the present invention are used to target trinucleotide repeat (TNR) sequence expansions present in intron sequences, to prevent the disease-related sequestration of cellular proteins that interact with such TNR expansions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating and preventing neovascular AMD by inhibition of CCR3.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for treating and preventing ocular diseases by inhibition of Lp-PLA2. The compositions and methods are useful for treating and preventing diseases and disorders such as but not limited to, macular edema, uveitis and diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The invention relates to combinations of TNF? antagonists with VEGF antagonists for use in treating diseases of the eye, and provides antigen-binding proteins which bind to TNF? or a TNF? receptor and/or VEGF or a VEGF receptor.

Abstract: A method for providing a quantity of pre-paid telephone time from an automated teller machine (ATM) or a point-of-sale device (POS terminal), to a patron of either of such device. PIN numbers, obtained from a telephone service provider and each designating a pre-paid quantity of telephone service time, are made available to the ATM or POS terminal. The patron is queried by the device if he/she wishes to purchase telephone time. Upon selection of a quantity of pre-paid telephone time by a patron and payment for such purchased quantity of time, the device selects a particular PIN number having an associated quantity of telephone time corresponding to the quantity of telephone service time purchased by the patron, and provides such PIN number to the patron. In a preferred embodiment the PIN number is provided to the patron by being printed out on the ATM's existing account statement printer, or on the account statement printer of a POS terminal if a POS device is alternatively employed.

Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: A protein prenyl transferase inhibitor is used in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disease such as MS, uveitis, alzheimers or neuroAIDS. The inhibitor may be a combination of a farnesyl transferase inhibitor and a geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor. Preferably, FTI-277 and/or GGTI-298 is employed.

Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: The invention features immortalized retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigmentary) cell lines capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic fragment is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: Immortalized cell lines of retinal origin (retinal endothelial and retinal pigmentary epithelial origin) which are capable of being implanted in the retina and of conveying a substance of therapeutic interest into the eye and the central nervous system. Such lines can also serve as a model for studying the blood/central nervous system interfaces.These lines are derived from primary cultures of retinal cells selected from the group comprising the primary retinal endothelial cells and the primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic acid fragment may be associated with at least one selection gene, and exhibit the morphological characteristics and at least the surface antigen expression characteristics of the corresponding primary culture cells.