The present disclosure provides methods of screening, diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) disorders such as Niemann-Pick disease. In particular, the methods encompass techniques for improved diagnosis and/or treatment of an ASM disorder, for example using enzyme replacement therapy.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for reprogramming somatic cells using purified RNA preparations comprising single-strand mRNA encoding an iPS cell induction factor. The purified RNA preparations are preferably substantially free of RNA contaminant molecules that: i) would activate an immune response in the somatic cells, ii) would decrease expression of the single-stranded mRNA in the somatic cells, and/or iii) active RNA sensors in the somatic cells. In certain embodiments, the purified RNA preparations are substantially free of partial mRNAs, double-stranded RNAs, un-capped RNA molecules, and/or single-stranded run-on mRNAs.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous protein-containing milk or cream fraction, said method comprising using an enzyme having phospholipase C activity.

The present invention provides a oxazole compound represented by Formula (1), or a salt thereof: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 is an aryl group which may have one or more substituents; R.sup.2 is an aryl group or a nitrogen atom-containing heterocyclic group each of which may have one or more substituents; and W is a divalent group represented by Y.sup.1-A.sup.1- or or Y.sup.2C(?O) wherein Y.sup.1 is a group such as C(?O), A.sup.1 is a group such as a lower alkylene group, and Y.sup.2 is a group such as a piperazinediyl group. The oxazole compound has a specific inhibitory action against phosphodiesterase 4.

The invention relates to dose escalation enzyme replacement therapy using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) for the treatment of human subjects having acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), and, in particular, patients with non-neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD), and in certain embodiments, NPD type B.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating cancer by increasing radiation-induced damage to cancer without increasing radiation-induced side effects by increasing secretory ASMase levels specifically in tumor endothelium, and inducing apoptosis of tumor endothelial cells by treating the tumor with radiation. ASMase levels are increased in tumor endothelium by administration of a recombinant DNA construct comprising a region coding for a functional ASMase linked to particular transcriptional regulatory sequences that confer tissue-specific expression of ASMase.

The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating a steatosis- associated disorder by administering a therapeutic agent selected from a lysosomal enzyme, an autophagy-inducing agent, or a combination thereof. Steatosis-associated disorders discussed herein include GSD Ia, GSD Ib, GSD Ic, NAFLD, and NASH. Other embodiments are directed to methods of reversing steatosis, modulating autophagy, inducing autophagy, and reversing glycogen storage.

The present disclosure is directed to methods of treating a steatosis-associated disorder and methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder, including glycogen storage disease I, glycogen storage disease III, glycogen storage disease IV, and/or conditions associated with a PRKAG2 mutation, by administering a therapeutic agent selected from a lysosomal enzyme, an autophagy-inducing agent, or a combination thereof. Steatosis-associated disorders discussed herein include GSD Ia, GSD Ib, GSD Ic, NAFLD, and NASH. Other embodiments are directed to methods of reversing steatosis, modulating autophagy, inducing autophagy, and reversing glycogen storage. Methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder by administering a lysosomal enzyme and a second therapeutic agent are also described. Other embodiments are directed to methods of treating a cytoplasmic glycogen storage disorder by administering a therapeutic agent as an adjunctive therapy to lysosomal enzyme replacement therapy.

The present disclosure provides methods of screening, diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) disorders such as Niemann-Pick disease. In particular, the methods encompass techniques for improved diagnosis and/or treatment of an ASM disorder, for example using enzyme replacement therapy.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering lysosomal proteins. The compositions and methods described herein permit the targeted delivery of exogenous lysosomal proteins to cell surface proteins that allow their internalization via non-clathrin pathways. The present invention further relates to the use of the compositions and methods for enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage diseases. Nucleic acids, recombinant cells and kits useful for making and using the compositions of the invention are also provided.