Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knock down antisense transcripts, and regulate the expression of their sense partners. This regulation can either be discordant (antisense knockdown results in sense transcript elevation) or concordant (antisense knockdown results in concomitant sense transcript reduction).

A method of generating neural stem cells or motor neurons is disclosed, the method comprising up-regulating a level of at least one exogenous miRNA and/or down-regulating at least one miRNA using an agent which hybridizes to the miRNA in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or down-regulating Related to testis-specific, vespid and pathogenesis protein 1 (RTVP-1).

This disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and purified or isolated naturally occurring exosome products that have therapeutic use for treating an unmet medical need. The exosome compositions contain an effective amount of exosomes isolated from a body fluid of a non-diseased subject. The compositions are useful in the treatment of a variety of fibrotic diseases.

This disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions and purified or isolated naturally occurring exosome products that have therapeutic use for treating an unmet medical need. The exosome compositions contain an effective amount of exosomes isolated from a body fluid of a non-diseased subject. The compositions are useful in the treatment of a variety of fibrotic diseases.

Novel fusion-circular RNAs (f-circRNAs) and complements thereof are provided. Diagnostic and treatment methods using f-circRNA inhibitors are provided. Non-human animals expressing exogenous f-circRNA and complements thereof are also provided.

Novel fusion-circular RNAs (f-circRNAs) and complements thereof are provided. Diagnostic and treatment methods using f-circRNA inhibitors are provided. Non-human animals expressing exogenous f-circRNA and complements thereof are also provided.

[Problem] To provide the following: an agent for treating cancer, particularly an agent for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation or an agent for inhibiting or preventing cancer metastasis; drug that uses the agent; a method for assessing the effect of cancer treatment; a method for estimating the prognosis of cancer treatment; a method for screening for a substance having a cancer proliferation-inhibiting effect; and a method for screening a substance having a cancer metastasis-impeding effect. [Solution] Provided is a drug containing a nucleic acid formed from a nucleotide sequence having sequence identity of 70% or greater with at least sequence No. 1 or No. 2, wherein the nucleic acid shows protein expression-inhibiting activity.

[Problem] To provide the following: an agent for treating cancer, particularly an agent for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation or an agent for inhibiting or preventing cancer metastasis; drug that uses the agent; a method for assessing the effect of cancer treatment; a method for estimating the prognosis of cancer treatment; a method for screening for a substance having a cancer proliferation-inhibiting effect; and a method for screening a substance having a cancer metastasis-impeding effect. [Solution] Provided is a drug containing a nucleic acid formed from a nucleotide sequence having sequence identity of 70% or greater with at least sequence No. 1 or No. 2, wherein the nucleic acid shows protein expression-inhibiting activity.

A method of generating a population of cells useful for treating a brain disorder in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises contacting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with at least one exogenous miRNA having a nucleic acid sequence at least 90% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 15-19 and 27-35, thereby generating the population of cells and/or generating neurotrophic factors that may provide important signals to damaged tissues or locally residing stem cells. MSCs differentiated by miRs may also secrete miRs and deliver them to adjacent cells and therefore provide important signals to neighboring endogenous normal or malignant cells.

A method of treating a lipid-related disorder in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polynucleotide agent which is substantially complementary to a nucleotide sequence of human miR-132, thereby treating the lipid related disorder in the subject.