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.

The present disclosure pertains to methods of activating TFEB independent of mTORC1 activity, methods of activating TFEB by enhancing GABARAP/FNIP/FLCN complex localization at an intracellular membrane surface, methods of characterizing a TFEB activating agent, and methods of treating a TRPML1-associated disease, disorder or condition, and compositions for use in said methods.

The present invention provides an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector gene therapy for use in treating a monogenic form of nephrotic syndrome, wherein the AAV vector comprises a NS-associated transgene and minimal nephrin promoter NPHS1 or podocin promoter NPHS2.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition or food or drink composition comprising an active ingredient that suppresses functional expression of Oscar protein. Another object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition or food composition for preventing or treating kidney disease. A further object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition or food or drink composition that suppresses functional expression of Oscar in a living organism in order to suppress functional expression of FGF23. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for evaluating an effect, in the body, of an active ingredient that suppresses functional expression of Oscar protein. The above objects are achieved by at least one member selected from the group consisting of antagonists of the Oscar protein; genome editing systems that target Oscar gene; at least one RNA molecule selected from the group consisting of siRNA, shRNA, and miRNA that target Oscar mRNA, or vectors capable of expressing the RNA molecule; and antibodies that specifically bind to the Oscar protein and suppress function of the Oscar.

The present invention relates to a composition for producing an extracellular matrix from a eukaryotic cell, the composition comprising a polypeptide or compound capable of specifically binding to a microtubule associated serine/threonine kinase family member 4 (MAST4) protein or a fragment thereof or a polynucleotide, polypeptide or compound capable of specifically binding to a nucleic acid coding for the MAST4 protein or a fragment thereof, and a composition for promoting chondrogenesis, comprising the same composition.

This document provides methods and materials for treating aging. For example, a mammal having, or at risk for developing, an age-related impairment (e.g., age-related cognitive decline) can be treated by increasing the level of one or more myokine polypeptides (e.g., one or more Klotho polypeptides) within cells within the mammal. This document also provides methods and materials for increasing the ability of muscle progenitor cells to regenerate muscle cells by increasing the level(s) of one or more myokine polypeptides (e.g., an α-Klotho polypeptide) within a muscle progenitor cell.

The present invention is directed to gene therapy constructs and pharmaceutical compositions for the expression of Kir7.1. The gene therapy constructs include a vector comprising a promoter operably connected to a polynucleotide encoding a Kir7.1 polypeptide. Methods of treating a subject having a condition associated with insufficient expression or function of a Kir7.1 polypeptide are also provided.

This application discloses a method for treating a human patient. The method includes administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition having one or more miRNA of the miR-17˜92 cluster, or an miRNA mimic of an miRNA of the miR-17˜92 cluster. The patient has at least one medical condition that places him or her at an increased risk of developing AKI, incipient AKI, or a sequelae of AKI.

The present invention relates to a system for treating eye diseases, and a method for treating eye diseases using the system.

The present invention relates to three-dimensional self-assembled nucleic acid nanoparticles, a drug delivery system comprising the same, and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury, which comprises the same. The three-dimensional self-assembled nucleic acid nanoparticles of the present invention, which have a tetrahedral structure, exhibit an excellent renal-targeting ability, and thus the nanoparticles conjugated with the pharmaceutically active ingredient for p53 exhibit excellent p53 and caspase 3 expression reductions in vitro and in vivo, and can thereby be applied to the prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury.