One aspect described herein relates to a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector and a method for use thereof or treating Angelman Syndrome. Another aspect described herein is a UBE3A rAAV vector and method for use thereof for treating a UBE3A deficiency, e.g. Angelman syndrome, in humans.

Provided herein are methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage disease comprising administration of genes encoding for a lysosomal enzyme and a pharmaceutical agent. Combining gene therapy with pharmaceutical compositions by co-administration not only further enhances the effects of each individual therapy, but also provides a multi-faceted approach to treatment because of the varying mechanism of action of each individual composition.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding NMD polypeptides, and methods of using such polypeptides and nucleic acids in the treatment of ALS and in screening for agents for the treatment of ALS are described.

Provided are non-human animals comprising a mutation in the Fbn1 gene to model neonatal progeroid syndrome with congenital lipodystrophy (NPSCL). Also provided are methods of making such non-human animal models. The non-human animal models can be used for screening compounds for activity in inhibiting or reducing NPSCL or ameliorating NPSCL-like symptoms or screening compounds for activity potentially harmful in promoting or exacerbating NPSCL as well as to provide insights in to the mechanism of NPSCL and potentially new therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Compositions and methods for the treatment of retinal degeneration are provided. In one aspect, provided herein is adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector comprising an AAV capsid having encapsidated therein a vector genome comprising AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences, a human protein kinase B (AKT) coding sequence, and expression control sequences that direct expression of AKT in a host cell.

The present invention concerns an expression system for systemic administration comprising a sequence encoding gamma-sarcoglycan (SGCG) placed under the control of a promoter allowing an adequate expression of SGCG in the skeletal muscles and in the heart, and its use for the treatment of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type C.

Provided herein is a gene therapy for CSRP3 (Cysteine and Glycine Rich Protein 3)-related gene deficits associated with cardiomyopathy, e.g. using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. The promoter of the vector may be a MHCK7 promoter or a cardiac troponin T (HTNNT2) promoter. The capsid may be an AAV9 or AAVrh74 capsid or a functional variant thereof. Other promoters or capsids may be used. Further provided are methods of treatment, such as by intravenous, intracoronary, intracarotid or intracardiac administration of the rAAV vector, and other compositions and methods.

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 present inventors report here, in the DFNB9 mouse model (OTOF knock-out mice), the first proof-of-principle that cochlear delivery of a fragmented cDNA via a dual-AAV vector approach can effectively and long-lastingly correct the profound deafness phenotype of these mice when administered well after their auditory system has matured (P30). The present invention therefore concerns a vector system that allows the expression of the full-length Otoferlin polypeptide, or of a functional fragment thereof, in inner hair cells, for use for treating patients suffering from DFNB9 deafness or preventing DFNB9 deafness in patients having DFNB9 mutations, wherein said patients are patients having a developed and mature auditory system, such as new born babies, toddlers, infants, teenagers or adults.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to the cell surface protein CRB1 for the treatment of retinopathies in a subject, as well as systems and kits employing such compositions.