Rat cells and rats comprising an inactivated Cfh locus and methods of making and using such rat cells and rats are provided. The rats comprising an inactivated Cfh locus model C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Methods are provided for using such rats comprising an inactivated Cfh locus to assess in vivo efficacy of putative C3G therapeutic agents.

Provided herein are mice that are heterozygous knock outs for Ctla4 and homozygous knockouts for Pdcd1 (Ctla4.sup.+/− Pdcd1.sup.−/− mice), which may suffer from autoimmunity, including myocarditis and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Also provided are methods of using such mice to screen for therapeutic agents that mitigate immune-related adverse events.

Provided is application of ECM1 in the prevention and/or treatment of liver fibrosis-related diseases, specifically provided is the use of ECM1 gene, or protein or a promoter thereof for preparing a composition or a formulation, the composition or formulation being used for (a) preventing and/or treating of liver fibrosis-related diseases; and/or for (b) maintaining liver homeostasis. The ECM1 gene, or the protein or promoter thereof can significantly (i) prevent and/or treat cirrhosis-related diseases; and/or (ii) maintain the liver homeostasis. In addition, the ECM1 gene, or the protein or promoter thereof can also significantly (i) inhibit the occurrence of liver fibrosis-related diseases; and/or (ii) inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors comprising a rAVV genome comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a signal peptide and optionally a IGF-2 sequence, fused to an acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) polypeptide, enabling the GAA polypeptide to be secreted from the liver and targeted to the lysosomes. Particular embodiments relate to a recombinant AAV (rAAV) vector encoding an alpha-glucosidase (GAA) polypeptide, having a liver secretory signal peptide and a targeting IGF2 sequence that binds human cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) or to the IGF2 receptor, permitting proper subcellular localization of the GAA polypeptide to lysosomes. Also encompassed are cells, and methods to treat a glycogen storage disease type II (GSD II) disease and/or Pompe Disease with the rAAV vector.

The present invention features compositions of Tmem100 peptides and variants thereof, and their use in treating or preventing diseases or conditions.

A biological system for generating and preserving a repository of personalized, humanized transplantable cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation, wherein the biological system is biologically and metabolically active (living), the biological system comprising genetically reprogrammed proteins, cells, tissues, and/or organs in a non-human animal donor for transplantation into a human recipient, wherein the non-human animal donor is a genetically reprogrammed porcine donor for xenotransplantation of cells, tissue, and/or an organ isolated from the genetically reprogrammed porcine donor.

The present invention provides methods of detecting cancer using biomarkers.

The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a kidney disease, comprising Apoptosis Inhibitor of Macrophage (AIM) or a partial peptide thereof, or a nucleic acid comprising a base sequence encoding the same, or a screening method for a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a kidney disease, comprising using an animal obtained by subjecting a non-human mammal deficient in AIM expression to unilateral ureteral obstruction or transient kidney ischemia/reperfusion and the like.

Mice comprising a modified p21-activated kinase (Pak) inhibitor domain (PID*), optionally linked with GST and capable of constitutive expression of PID are provided. Also provided are cells, tissue, and organs obtainable from such mice, and methods for producing mice comprising a modified p21-activated kinase (Pak) inhibitor domain (PID*).

A novel class or family of TGF-β binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules.