Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that may be used to model human hematopoietic cell development, function, or disease. The genetically modified non-human animals comprise a nucleic acid encoding human IL-6 operably linked to an IL-6 promoter. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal expressing human IL-6 also expresses at least one of human M-CSF, human IL-3, human GM-CSF, human SIRPa or human TPO. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is immunodeficient. In some such instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is engrafted with healthy or diseased human hematopoietic cells. Also provided are methods for using the subject genetically modified non-human animals in modeling human hematopoietic cell development, function, and/or disease, as well as reagents and kits thereof that find use in making the subject genetically modified non-human animals and/or practicing the subject methods.

The present invention relates to recombinant optimized polynucleotide encoding a cytokine or cytokine receptor and to methods of making a recombinant optimized polynucleotide encoding a cytokine or cytokine receptor.

The present disclosure relates to the field of drug technology, specifically to an active polypeptide compound, which is Y-ID-X or X-ID-Y; wherein Y is a PTH/PTHrP receptor agonist or an osteoclast inhibitor; ID is a peptide bond or a linker in the molecule, which links X to Y; and X is an osteogenic growth peptide receptor agonist, a bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell irritant or a hematopoietic stem cell irritant. The present disclosure also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, and use of the compound and the pharmaceutical composition in the preparation of a medicament for preventing, treating or alleviating diseases or disorders related to osteogenic defects or bone mineral density decreasing.

The peptide of the present invention performs a function, which is the same as or similar to that of natural interleukin (IL)-3, and has superior skin permeability due to the small size thereof. In addition, the peptide of the present invention suppresses the activation of NF-B and nuclear transition by inhibiting the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-RANK signaling pathway, and suppresses the expression of a RANKL or an inflammatory cytokine-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K, or TNF receptor type 1 or type 2, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation depending on the treatment concentration. Moreover, the peptide of the present invention can contribute to osteoblast differentiation by promoting the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as osteocalcin (OCN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone sialoprotein (BSP), or osteopontin (OPN). Therefore, the superior activity and stability of the peptide of the present invention are useful for medicines, sanitary aids, or cosmetics.

The peptide of the present invention performs a function, which is the same as or similar to that of natural interleukin (IL)-3, and has superior skin permeability due to the small size thereof. In addition, the peptide of the present invention suppresses the activation of NF-B and nuclear transition by inhibiting the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-RANK signaling pathway, and suppresses the expression of a RANKL or an inflammatory cytokine-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K, or TNF receptor type 1 or type 2, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation depending on the treatment concentration. Moreover, the peptide of the present invention can contribute to osteoblast differentiation by promoting the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as osteocalcin (OCN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone sialoprotein (BSP), or osteopontin (OPN). Therefore, the superior activity and stability of the peptide of the present invention are useful for medicines, sanitary aids, or cosmetics.

The invention relates generally to genetically modified non-human animals expressing human polypeptides and their methods of use.

Genetically modified non-human animals expressing human EPO from the animal genome are provided. Also provided are methods for making non-human animals expressing human EPO from the non-human animal genome, and methods for using non-human animals expressing human EPO from the non-human animal genome. These animals and methods find many uses in the art, including, for example, in modeling human erythropoiesis and erythrocyte function; in modeling human pathogen infection of erythrocytes; in in vivo screens for agents that modulate erythropoiesis and/or erythrocyte function, e.g. in a healthy or a diseased state; in in vivo screens for agents that are toxic to erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors; in in vivo screens for agents that prevent against, mitigate, or reverse the toxic effects of toxic agents on erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors; in in vivo screens of erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors from an individual to predict the responsiveness of an individual to a disease therapy.

The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of embryonic hematopoietic stem cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway. Also provided herein are methods for expanding embryonic hematopoietic stem cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway. The embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include cells derived from an embryo (e.g., aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the embryo), embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or reprogrammed cells of other types. The present invention also relates to administering the embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGF pathway to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits.

Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that may be used to model human hematopoietic cell development, function, or disease. The genetically modified non-human animals comprise a nucleic acid encoding human IL-6 operably linked to an IL-6 promoter. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal expressing human IL-6 also expresses at least one of human M-CSF, human IL-3, human GM-CSF, human SIRPa or human TPO. In some instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is immunodeficient. In some such instances, the genetically modified non-human animal is engrafted with healthy or diseased human hematopoietic cells. Also provided are methods for using the subject genetically modified non-human animals in modeling human hematopoietic cell development, function, and/or disease, as well as reagents and kits thereof that find use in making the subject genetically modified non-human animals and/or practicing the subject methods.

Genetically modified non-human animals expressing human EPO from the animal genome are provided. Also provided are methods for making non-human animals expressing human EPO from the non-human animal genome, and methods for using non-human animals expressing human EPO from the non-human animal genome. These animals and methods find many uses in the art, including, for example, in modeling human erythropoiesis and erythrocyte function; in modeling human pathogen infection of erythrocytes; in in vivo screens for agents that modulate erythropoiesis and/or erythrocyte function, e.g. in a healthy or a diseased state; in in vivo screens for agents that are toxic to erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors; in in vivo screens for agents that prevent against, mitigate, or reverse the toxic effects of toxic agents on erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors; in in vivo screens of erythrocytes or erythrocyte progenitors from an individual to predict the responsiveness of an individual to a disease therapy.