The present invention relates to antisense of oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of FGF21.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of PAR4, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of PAR4. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of PAR4.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of PAR4, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of PAR4. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of PAR4.

The present invention relates to treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) using antisense nucleotides that are directed against polymorphic forms (e.g., those containing single nucleotide polymorphisms) of the SMAD7 mRNA. The invention thus relates to treatment methods for subjects having polymorphic forms of SMAD7 and antisense oligonucleotides that specifically target SMAD7 mRNA transcripts containing polymorphisms.

Improved DNA vaccine plasmids are disclosed that contain novel immunostimulatory RNA compositions. The improved plasmids eliminate all extraneous sequences, incorporate a novel antibiotic free short RNA based selectable marker, increase eukaryotic expression using a novel chimeric promoter, improve yield and stability during bacterial production, and improve immunostimulation. These vectors are utilized in immunization to elicit improved immune responses or therapy to induce type 1 interferon production.

The. invention relates to a method for inducing or promoting skipping of exon 45 of DMD pre-mRNA in a Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patient, preferably in an isolated (muscle) cell, the method comprising providing said cell with an antisense molecule that binds to a continuous stretch of at least 21 nucleotides within said exon. The invention further relates to such antisense molecule used in said method.

Intact bacterially derived minicells containing functional nucleic acids or plasmids encoding functional nucleic acids can reduce, in targeted mammalian cells, drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and neoplasticity, respectively. Methodology that employs minicells to deliver functional nucleic acids, targeting the transcripts of proteins that contribute to drug resistance or apoptosis resistance, inter alia, can be combined with chemotherapy to increase the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of GDNF.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of GDNF.

Newly identified proteins as markers for the detection of breast tumors, or as therapeutic targets for treatment thereof; affinity ligands capable of selectively interacting with the newly identified markers, as well as methods for tumor diagnosis and therapy using such ligands.