Genetically modified non-human animals which are deficient in expression of an endogenous GPC3 polypeptide and express a human GPC3 polypeptide at a physiologically adequate level; methods for producing the non-human animals; and methods for evaluating test substances using the non-human animals. Furthermore, methods for evaluating test substances regarding their safety, therapeutic effects on diseases, pharmacokinetics, in vivo distribution, and such, using the non-human animals as models.

The disclosure provides for single chain variable fragments to oxidized phospholipid epitopes and methods of use thereof, including the production of transgenic animal models and the use of the fragments as therapeutic agents for treating CAS.

The present invention relates to: A schizophrenia animal model wherein the model is a mouse in which an anoctamin 1 (ANO1) gene is knocked out in cholinergic neurons of a medial habenula; and a preparation method therefor and the like. The schizophrenia animal model according to the present invention targets the medial habenula which is brain tissue playing a major role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and it has been confirmed that when the ANO1 gene is specifically knocked out in the cholinergic neurons of the medial habenula, positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are observed, thereby confirming that schizophrenia has been induced. Therefore, the animal model of the present invention is expected to be effectively useful in schizophrenia pathogenesis research and therapeutic agent development and screening.

The present disclosure provides a chimeric non-human animal comprising human hepatocytes, methods for preparing the chimeric non-human animal comprising human hepatocytes and methods of utilizing the chimeric non-human animal comprising human hepatocytes to screening and identifying metabolites for any type of drugs, typically small molecule drugs, which might affect human liver functions and any other bodily function.

The present invention relates to methods of treating cancer patients carrying one or more specific fusion genes. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the protein encoded by the MAN2A1-FER fusion gene exhibits kinase activity and the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting MAN2A1-FER in a cancer other than prostate, for example hepatocellular cancer, led to dramatic improvement of survival of animals xenografted with the cancer.

Provided is a drug target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and the use thereof. The drug target is AREG signaling in AT2 cells of the lung. The drug target can be used to screen drugs for treating and/or preventing pulmonary fibrosis, in particular, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) of animals and human beings.

A system is provided comprising a plurality of C. elegans cultures, where each culture comprises a transgenic C. elegans strain that models a mammalian disease or condition. Methods of using a system, e.g., for characterizing microbial strains of a mammalian microbiome and determining whether such microbial strains affect a mammalian disease or disorder.

Methods and compositions using a nucleic acid molecule encoding an atonal-associated factor in combination with a co-transcription factor and/or inhibitor of a gene silencing complex to change the sensory perception of an animal are described.

The invention relates to compounds inhibiting plexin-A2 and/or plexin-A4, with said compounds specifically targeting plexin-A2 and/or plexin-A4 on or in CD8-positive (CD8+) T-cells. Medical uses of such compounds are also part of the invention.

The invention relates to a method of expanding a population of regulatory T cells in a tissue or organ of a subject, wherein said method comprises administration of IL-2 and a targeting moiety specific for said tissue or organ, and wherein said tissue or organ is the central and/or peripheral nervous system. The invention further relates to populations of regulatory T cells produced according to the method and the production of said population in vivo. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising IL-2 and a targeting moiety as defined herein as well as a method of treating a disease or disorder mediated by inflammation or for the reduction of inflammation which comprises the methods defined herein or administration of a pharmaceutical composition as defined herein.