Provided is an invention based, in part, on novel gene constructs that encode a microdystrophin protein for use in gene therapy. The microdystrophin gene constructs and expression cassettes were engineered for improved therapy with respect to efficacy, potency and safety to the subject when expressed by a viral vector in muscle cells and/or CNS cells.

Provided herein are synthetic RNA molecules for reconstitution of RNA molecules, including compositions and methods of using these molecules. For example, such molecules can be used to deliver a protein coding sequence over two or more viral vectors (such as AAVs), resulting in reconstitution of the full-length protein in a cell. Such methods can be used to deliver a therapeutic protein, for example to treat a genetic disease or cancer.

Disclosed herein arm CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing compositions and methods for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by restoring dystrophin function. The CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing systems may include a guide RNA (gRNA) targeting a fragment of a mutant dystrophin gene, a Cas protein or a fusion protein comprising the Cas protein, and a donor sequence comprising a fragment of a wild-type dystrophin gene.

The invention provides for recombinant AAV vectors comprising a miniaturized human micro-dystrophin gene and methods of using the recombinant vectors to reduce or prevent fibrosis in subjects suffering from muscular dystrophy.

There is described a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a functional dystrophin protein. Also described is a vector, a host cell and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid molecule; use of the nucleic acid molecule in therapy, such as in the treatment of a muscular dystrophy; and a method of treating muscular dystrophy, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the nucleic acid molecule to a patient suffering from a muscular dystrophy.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a dual-cassette gene vehicle comprising cassettes for expression of both a mini-dystrophin gene and NF-κB/p65-shRNA gene in cardiac muscle tissue and skeletal muscle tissue, which is an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, wherein the mini-dystrophin gene is operably linked to a construct comprising a muscle-specific first promoter and a modified Mcken (MCK) enhancer and wherein the NF-κB/p65-shRNA gene is under the control of a second promoter. Also are provided pharmaceutical compositions comprising such gene vehicles and a method for ameliorating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) employing such gene delivery vehicles and pharmaceutical compositions.

The disclosure describes methods of treating humans with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by providing doses of an AAV9 vector that expresses a mini-dystrophin protein in transduced muscle cells.

The present invention relates to recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) delivery of polynucleotides for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy resulting from the duplication of DMD exon 2. The invention provides rAAV products and methods of using the rAAV in the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Polynucleotides comprising the following base sequences: (a) a base sequence encoding a fusion protein of a nuclease-deficient CRISPR effector protein and a transcription activator, and (b) a base sequence encoding a guide RNA targeting a continuous region of 18 to 24 nucleotides in length in a region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104, 105, 135, 141, 153, 167, or 172 in the expression regulatory region of human Utrophin gene are expected to be useful for treating or preventing DUCHENNE muscular dystrophy or BECKER muscular dystrophy.

The present invention provides an oligomer which efficiently enables to cause skipping of the 53rd exon in the human dystrophin gene. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition which causes skipping of the 53rd exon in the human dystrophin gene with a high efficiency.