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.

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.

Provided herein are nucleic acids useful as guide nucleic acids (gNAs), e.g., guide ribonucleic acids (gRNAs), in a CRISPR system wherein the guide nucleic acids contain one or more modifications to one or more nucleotides, use of such guide nucleic acids in modifying cells, and other uses wherein CRISPR Cas proteins are utilized.

Provided herein are nucleic acids useful as guide nucleic acids (gNAs), e.g., guide ribonucleic acids (gRNAs), in a CRISPR system wherein the guide nucleic acids contain one or more modifications to one or more nucleotides, use of such guide nucleic acids in modifying cells, and other uses wherein CRISPR Cas proteins are utilized.

Provided herein are imaging agents, antidotes to the imaging agents and methods of using the same to image a thrombus or blood clot or thrombin including sites of thrombin accumulation and to diagnose and treat thrombosis. The imaging agents include an aptamer capable of binding the thrombus or thrombin in particular linked to a reporter moiety. The imaging agents may be used to label the thrombus or sites of thrombin accumulation. Antidotes capable of binding to the aptamer in the imaging agent are also provided. The antidotes may further be linked to a quencher capable of quenching the reporter moiety.