Provided is an anti-PAD4 antibody or an antibody fragment thereof, wherein HCDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, HCDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, HCDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, LCDR1 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, LCDR2 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ TD NO: 5, and LCDR3 comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.

Provided for the first time in the present invention is a method for preparing a non-human primate somatic cell cloned animal, which method specifically comprises the steps of: (i) providing a reconstructed egg, wherein the egg comes from the non-human primate (ii) activating the reconstructed egg to form an activated reconstructed egg or activated reconstructed embryo formed by the reconstructed egg; (iii) reprogramming (a) the activated reconstructed egg or (b) embryonic cells of the activated reconstructed embryo to obtain a reprogrammed reconstructed egg or reprogrammed reconstructed embryo; and (iv) regenerating the reprogrammed reconstructed egg or reprogrammed reconstructed embryo to obtain the non-human primate somatic cell cloned animal. The method of the present invention can significantly improve the developmental capacity of nucleus-transplanted embryos in non-human primates (such as monkeys).

Provided herein are screening methods and animal models related to intraocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), for example, for identifying candidate therapeutics for treating or preventing eye diseases, such as AMD. Also provided herein are compounds/compositions that are useful for killing or inhibiting the growth of a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium. Further provided herein are methods of using the compounds/compositions for treating infections with a microorganism, such as Bacillus megaterium and for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with such infections, such as AMD.

Recombinant poly-IgA oligomers that form high-order oligomers resembling poly-IgA of IgA nephropathy are provided. Injection of recombinant IgA oligomers in an animal model produces prominent renal glomerular mesangial deposition of recombinant poly IgA oligomer, as in IgA nephropathy patients. Thus, producing a model of IgAN pathology that is able to provide screening and evaluation of therapeutic drugs and diagnostic tests.

A method of modulating some or all copies of a gene in a cell is provided including introducing into a cell one or more ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences that comprise a portion that is complementary to all or a portion of each of the one or more target nucleic acid sequences, and a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a Cas protein and maintaining the cells under conditions in which the Cas protein is expressed and the Cas protein binds and modulates the one or more target nucleic acid sequences in the cell.

The invention is directed to a method of producing a non-human mammal having one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or age-related macular degeneration. In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a non-human mammal having age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The invention is also directed to non-human animals produced by the methods described herein. Methods of identifying an agent for use in inhibiting one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or AMD is also encompassed by the invention. Also provided is a method of treating AMD in an individual in need thereof comprising, administering to the individual an agent identified herein.

The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic diseases, in particular diseases related to fibroblast migration and differentiation. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic disease. The invention further provides in vitro methods for inhibition of fibroblast migration and differentiation.

Methods, agents, and compositions for promoting milk production in a mammal are provided. Agents useful for promoting milk production may include an agent that inhibits NOTCH4 activity. The agent may inhibit NOTCH4 activity by binding to ROBO2 and/or by binding to NOTCH4. The agent may inhibit NOTCH4 by competing with ROBO1 for binding to ROBO2, thereby making ROBO1 available to inhibit NOTCH4 activity. The agent may be a soluble ROBO1 extracellular domain or an anti-NOTCH4 antibody that inhibits NOTCH4 activity. The agent may be an RNAi construct that inhibits expression of NOTCH4 or an RNAi construct that inhibits expression of ROBO2. Also provided herein are transgenic mammals genetically modified for expression of a soluble ROBO1 extracellular domain; inhibition of expression of ROBO2; and/or inhibition of expression of NOTCH4. Methods for promoting milk production in such transgenic mammals by administering one or more of the agents disclosed herein are also provided.

A method of modulating some or all copies of a gene in a cell is provided including introducing into a cell one or more ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences that comprise a portion that is complementary to all or a portion of each of the one or more target nucleic acid sequences, and a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a Cas protein and maintaining the cells under conditions in which the Cas protein is expressed and the Cas protein binds and modulates the one or more target nucleic acid sequences in the cell.

The present invention provides delivery methods and constructs for treating inflammatory diseases in an individual. The targeted delivery approach utilizes an antibody that recognizes an epitope found to be present at sites of inflammation. The antibody is used to deliver a MAp44 polypeptide or fragment thereof to sites of inflammation, where it inhibits the lectin pathway of complement activation.