Abstract: Provided are antisense molecules capable of binding to a selected target site in the human dystrophin gene to induce exon skipping, and methods of use thereof to treat muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: An antisense compound for use in treating myotonic dystrophy DM1 or DM2, a method of enhancing antisense targeting to heart and quadricep muscles, and a method for treating DM1 or DM2 in a mammalian subject are disclosed. The oligonucleotide has 8-30 bases, with at least 8 contiguous bases being complementary to the polyCUG or polyCCUG repeats in the 3?UTR region of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) mRNA in DM1 or DM2, respectively. Conjugated to the oligonucleotide is a cell-penetrating peptide having the sequence (RXRR(B/X)R)2XB, where R is arginine; B is ?-alanine; and each X is —C(O)—(CH2)n—NH—, where n is 4-6. The antisense compound is effective to selectively block the sequestration of muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1) and/or CUGBP, in heart and quadricep muscle in a myotonic dystrophy animal model.

Abstract: Soluble epidermal growth factor receptors 2 and 3 (HER2 and HER3) splice variant proteins with HER2 and HER3 antagonist activity and anti-proliferative properties, as well as the corresponding nucleic acids, are provided for treatment of proliferative diseases, in particular cancer. Also provided are compositions and methods for inducing expression of these splice variants, including splice switching oligonucleotides that modulate splicing of pre-mRNA that codes for these receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists and corresponding nucleic acids derived from tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These proteins are soluble secreted decoy receptors that bind to TNF and prevent TNF from signaling to cells. In particular, the proteins are mammalian TNFRs that lack exon 7 and which can bind TNF and can act as a TNF antagonist.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for controlling expression of TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) and of other receptors in the TNFR superfamily using compounds that modulate splicing of pre-mRNA encoding these receptors. More specifically these compounds cause the removal of the transmembrane domains of these receptors and produce soluble forms of the receptor which act as an antagonist to reduce TNF-? activity or activity of the relevant ligand. Reducing TNF-? activity provides a method of treating or ameliorating inflammatory diseases or conditions associated with TNF-? activity. Similarly, diseases associated with other ligands can be treated in like manner. In particular, the compounds of the invention are splice-splice switching oligomers (SSOs) which are small molecules that are stable in vivo, hybridize to the RNA in a sequence specific manner and, in conjunction with their target, are not degraded by RNAse H.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing a splicing event in a pre-mRNA molecule, comprising contacting the pre-mRNA and/or elements of the splicing machinery with a small molecule compound identified according to the methods described herein to prevent the splicing event in the pre-mRNA molecule. Further provided is a method of inducing a splicing event in a pre-mRNA molecule, comprising contacting the pre-mRNA and/or elements of the splicing machinery with a small molecule compound identified according to the methods described herein to induce the splicing event in the pre-mRNA molecule. Furthermore, a method is provided herein of treating a patient having a disorder associated with an alternative or aberrant splicing event in a pre-mRNA molecule, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound identified according to the methods described herein to prevent an alternative or aberrant splicing event in a pre-mRNA molecule, thereby treating the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of upregulating expression of a protein of interest (e.g., a native protein) in a cell, the cell containing a DNA encoding the protein, which DNA contains a mutation that causes downregulation of the protein by aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA, wherein the DNA encodes the pre-mRNA; wherein the pre-mRNA contains a native intron having a first set of splice elements, which native intron is removed by splicing when the mutation is absent to produce a first mRNA encoding the protein; and wherein the pre-mRNA further contains an aberrant intron different from the native intron having a second set of splice elements, which aberrant intron is removed by splicing when the mutation is present to produce an aberrant second mRNA different from the first mRNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of upregulating expression of a protein of interest (e.g., a native protein) in a cell, the cell containing a DNA encoding the protein, which DNA contains a mutation that causes downregulation of the protein by aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA, wherein the DNA encodes the pre-mRNA; wherein the pre-mRNA contains a native intron having a first set of splice elements, which native intron is removed by splicing when the mutation is absent to produce a first mRNA encoding the protein; and wherein the pre-mRNA further contains an aberrant intron different from the native intron having a second set of splice elements, which aberrant intron is removed by splicing when the mutation is present to produce an aberrant second mRNA different from the first mRNA.

Abstract: A method of combatting aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA molecule containing a mutation is disclosed. When present in the pre-mRNA, the mutation causes the pre-mRNA to splice incorrectly and produce an aberrant mRNA or mRNA fragment different from the mRNA ordinarily encoded by the pre-mRNA. The method comprises hybridizing an antisense oligonucleotide to the pre-mRNA molecule to create a duplex molecule under conditions which permit splicing. The antisense oligonucleotide is one which does not activate RNase H, and is selected to block a member of the aberrant set of splice elements created by the mutation so that the native intron is removed by splicing and the first mRNA molecule encoding a native protein is produced. Oligonucleotides useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of combatting aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA molecule containing a mutation is disclosed. When present in the pre-mRNA, the mutation causes the pre-mRNA to splice incorrectly and produce an aberrant mRNA or mRNA fragment different from the mRNA ordinarily encoded by the pre-mRNA. The method comprises hybridizing an antisense oligonucleotide to the pre-mRNA molecule to create a duplex molecule under conditions which permit splicing. The antisense oligonucleotide is one which does not activate RNase H, and is selected to block a member of the aberrant set of splice elements created by the mutation so that the native intron is removed by splicing and the first mRNA molecule encoding a native protein is produced. Oligonucleotides useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of combatting aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA molecule containing a mutation is disclosed. When present in the pre-mRNA, the mutation causes the pre-mRNA to splice incorrectly and produce an aberrant mRNA or mRNA fragment different from the mRNA ordinarily encoded by the pre-mRNA. The method comprises hybridizing an antisense oligonucleotide to the pre-mRNA molecule to create a duplex molecule under conditions which permit splicing. The antisense oligonucleotide is one which does not activate RNase H, and is selected to block a member of the aberrant set of splice elements created by the mutation so that the native intron is removed by splicing and the first mRNA molecule encoding a native protein is produced. Oligonucleotides useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of combatting aberrant splicing in a pre-mRNA molecule containing a mutation is disclosed. When present in the pre-mRNA, the mutation causes the pre-mRNA to splice incorrectly and produce an aberrant mRNA or mRNA fragment different from the mRNA ordinarily encoded by the pre-mRNA. The method comprises hybridizing an antisense oligonucleotide to the pre-mRNA molecule to create a duplex molecule under conditions which permit splicing. The antisense oligonucleotide is one which does not activate RNase H, and is selected to block a member of the aberrant set of splice elements created by the mutation so that the native intron is removed by splicing and the first mRNA molecule encoding a native protein is produced. Oligonucleotides useful for carrying out the method are also disclosed.