It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.

A genetically modified mouse is provided that comprises a conditional Acvr1 allele that comprises a mutated exon that, upon induction, converts to a mutant exon phenotype, wherein the mutant exon phenotype includes ectopic bone formation. Mice comprising a mutant Acvr1 exon 5 in antisense orientation, flanked by site-specific recombinase recognition sites, are provided, wherein the mice further comprise a site-specific recombinase that recognizes the site-specific recombinase recognitions sites, wherein the recombinase is induced upon exposure of the mouse to tamoxifen. Upon exposure to tamoxifen, the recombinase is expressed and acts on the RRS-flanked mutant exon 5 and places the mutant exon 5 in sense orientation and deletes the wild-type exon.

The present disclosure provides a promoter having at least the core components of a duck retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) promoter, as well as expression constructs having the duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein), and recombinant host cells containing the duck RIG-I promoter, e.g., in such expression constructs. The present disclosure also provide animals genetically modified to have a gene encoding a duck RIG-I promoter operably linked to a gene product-encoding nucleic acid (e.g., an avian RIG-I protein, such as a duck RIG-I protein).

The present disclosure relates to methods and compounds for promoting anabolic pathways in neuronal cells leading to improved neuronal survival. In particular, the present disclosure relates to inhibiting YHL/Vhl to promote glycolysis and neuronal survival in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, and specifically in retinitis pigmentosa.

Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a humanized coagulation factor XII (F12) locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. Non-human animal cells or non-human animals comprising a humanized F12 locus express a human coagulation factor XII protein or a chimeric coagulation factor XII protein, fragments of which are from human coagulation factor XII. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals comprising a humanized F12 locus to assess in vivo efficacy of human-coagulation-factor-XII-targeting reagents such as nuclease agents designed to target human F12. A short isoform of F12 that is produced locally in the brain, and methods of using the short isoform, are also provide.

Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.

Provided are a protein complex in which estrogen receptor 2 (ERT2) is fused to CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9), and a recombinant vector carrying a gene coding the protein complex, wherein ERT2 is bonded to the N-terminus and C-terminus of nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-removed Cas9 and the complex has the advantage of translocating from the cytosol into the nucleus at a certain time point upon treatment with tamoxifen and modifying a specific DNA with the aid of guide RNA (gRNA), ultimately enabling a more elaborate DNA modification operation in a desired part at a desired time point.

Described herein are methods of prolong or reactivating organogenesis in a subject in need thereof (e.g., a subject that has impaired organ function such as a prematurely born infant). The methods comprises increasing the expression or activity of Lin28A or Lin28B proteins, inhibiting the expression or activity of let-7 family microRNAs, and/or inhibiting the expression or activity of Dis3L2 exonuclease.

The invention relates to novel therapeutic approaches to cancer treatment that exploits tumor suppressor functions of DKK3b by site-specific delivery of DKK3b. Novel therapeutics and methods for treating tumors and cancers utilizing DKK3b tumor suppressor functions are disclosed.

Method for controlling for the appearance of seizures in the mammalian brain comprising modifying the abundance of a specific miRNA-miR-211, for uses in preventing seizures and providing a model system to examine the effect of a drug or a treatment to seizures.