The present invention relates to a chemically modified oligonucleotide for use in site-directed A-to-I editing of a target RNA inside a cell with endogenous ADAR, comprising a sequence with a length of 11 to 100 nucleotides capable of binding to a target sequence in the target RNA, with a Central Base Triplet of 3 nucleotides with the central nucleotide opposite to the target adenosine in the target RNA, which is to be edited to an inosine, whereby the core sequence has the following Formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein Nu stands for a nucleotide having a sugar moiety which may be modified, the numbers below the nucleotide sequence designate the position of the nucleotides adjacent to the central nucleotide of the Central Base Triplet having the number 0 whereby the negative numbers designate the 5′ end and the positive number designate the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide and wherein a-j designate the nature of the linkage between the single nucleotides whereby at least linkages a, d, and e are phosphorothioate linkages and whereby at least 2 linkages are a phosphate linkage(s).

Aspects of the disclosure relate to complexes comprising a muscle-targeting agent covalently linked to a molecular payload. In some embodiments, the muscle-targeting agent specifically binds to an internalizing cell surface receptor on muscle cells. In some embodiments, the molecular payload promotes the expression or activity of a functional dystrophin protein. In some embodiments, the molecular payload is an oligonucleotide, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., an oligonucleotide that causes exon skipping in a mRNA expressed from a mutant DMD allele.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to complexes comprising a muscle-targeting agent covalently linked to a molecular payload. In some embodiments, the muscle-targeting agent specifically binds to an internalizing cell surface receptor on muscle cells. In some embodiments, the molecular payload promotes the expression or activity of a functional dystrophin protein. In some embodiments, the molecular payload is an oligonucleotide, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., an oligonucleotide that causes exon skipping in a mRNA expressed from a mutant DMD allele.

Provided are compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the amount or activity of MSH3 RNA in a cell or subject, and in certain instances reducing the amount of MSH3 protein in a cell or subject. These compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions are useful to ameliorate at least one symptom or hallmark of a repeat expansion disease. Such symptoms and hallmarks include brain atrophy, muscle atrophy, nerve degeneration, uncontrolled movement, seizure, tremors, muscle weakness, muscle cramping, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, decreased memory, decreased cognition, anxiety, and depression. Non-limiting examples of repeat expansion diseases that benefit from these compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions are myotonic dystrophy (DM1 and DM2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, various polyglutamine disorders, Friedrich's ataxia, Fragile X syndrome, or spinocerebellar ataxia (e.g., SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCAT, SCA8, SCA10, or SCA17).

Provided are compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the amount or activity of MSH3 RNA in a cell or subject, and in certain instances reducing the amount of MSH3 protein in a cell or subject. These compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions are useful to ameliorate at least one symptom or hallmark of a repeat expansion disease. Such symptoms and hallmarks include brain atrophy, muscle atrophy, nerve degeneration, uncontrolled movement, seizure, tremors, muscle weakness, muscle cramping, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, decreased memory, decreased cognition, anxiety, and depression. Non-limiting examples of repeat expansion diseases that benefit from these compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions are myotonic dystrophy (DM1 and DM2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, various polyglutamine disorders, Friedrich's ataxia, Fragile X syndrome, or spinocerebellar ataxia (e.g., SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCAT, SCA8, SCA10, or SCA17).

The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to IL-21, an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and inhibits the binding of IL-21 and a receptor thereof, and an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and contains a nucleotide sequence represented by the formula (1): CGRYKACY wherein R is A or G, Y is C or U, and K is G or U.

The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to IL-21, an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and inhibits the binding of IL-21 and a receptor thereof, and an aptamer that binds to IL-21 and contains a nucleotide sequence represented by the formula (1): CGRYKACY wherein R is A or G, Y is C or U, and K is G or U.

The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the expression of an AGT gene in a subject, as well as methods for treating subjects having an AGT-associated disorder, e.g., hypertension, using RNAi agents, e.g., double stranded RNAi agents, targeting the AGT gene. The invention also relates to methods of decreasing blood pressure levels in a subject using such RNAi agents to inhibit expression of an AGT gene.

The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the expression of an AGT gene in a subject, as well as methods for treating subjects having an AGT-associated disorder, e.g., hypertension, using RNAi agents, e.g., double stranded RNAi agents, targeting the AGT gene. The invention also relates to methods of decreasing blood pressure levels in a subject using such RNAi agents to inhibit expression of an AGT gene.

The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to methods and compositions for production of immunomodulatory compositions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides host cells which have been treated ex vivo with one or more oligonucleotide agents capable of controlling and/or reducing the differentiation of the host cell. In some embodiments, compositions and methods described by the disclosure are useful as immunogenic modulators for treating cancer.