The invention relates to a RNA interference triggers for inhibiting the expression of an AAT gene through the mechanism of RNA interference. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the AAT RNAi trigger together with an excipient capable of improving delivery of the RNAi trigger to a liver cell in vivo. Delivery of the AAT RNAi trigger to liver cells in vivo provides for inhibition of AAT gene expression and treatment of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and associated diseases.

A method for inhibiting expression of an mRNA having an expanded trinucleotide repeat region is provided comprising administering an oligomer comprising a sense strand and an antisense strand wherein: a) the antisense strand comprises a sequence of Formula (I): rGrCrUrGrCrUrGrCX.sup.1X.sup.2rCrUrGrCrUrGrCrUrG (I), wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently selected from rA, rU, rG, rC, UNA-A, UNA-U, UNA-G, and UNA-C and wherein at least one of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is a UNA monomer; b) the oligomer comprises a UNA monomer at the first position at the 5′-end of the sense strand; and the sense strand and the antisense strand each independently include 19-29 monomers. The oligomer can be formulated in a lipid delivery vehicle, and can inhibit expression of Atrophin-1, Huntingtin, Ataxin-1, Ataxin-2, Ataxin-3, Ataxin-7, Alpha1A-voltage-dependent calcium channel subunit, TATA-box binding protein (TBP), Androgen Receptor, PP2A-PR55beta, FMR-1 Protein (FMRP), FMR-2 protein, Frataxin, Dystrophy Protein Kinase (DMPK), or Ataxin-8.

An agent for inhibiting the action of a target RNA based on RNA interference and ASO with a passenger strand and a guide strand for a target RNA, wherein both ends of double-stranded RNA formed pairing of the passenger strand and the guide strand are blunt ends, and one or two or more selected from the group consisting of the units represented by formula (1) and formula (2) below at the following positions (a) and (b): (a) 5′ end side and 3′ end side of the passenger strand, (b) 3′ end side of the guide strand

##STR00001##

(in which X represents an oxygen atom or sulfur atom),

##STR00002##

(in which X represents an oxygen atom or sulfur atom).

One aspect of the present invention relates to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agent capable of inhibiting the expression of a target gene. Other aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these dsRNA molecules suitable for therapeutic use, and methods of inhibiting the expression of a target gene by administering these dsRNA molecules, e.g., for the treatment of various disease conditions.

The present disclosure relates to double-stranded oligonucleotides, including double-stranded oligonucleotides such as siRNAs, comprising a sense strand oligonucleotide and an antisense strand oligonucleotide, and wherein the antisense strand oligonucleotide comprises one or more nucleotide analogs of formula (I-A) which are neither the 5′-overhang nucleotide nor the 3′-overhang nucleotide of the said antisense strand oligonucleotide, and wherein a nucleotide analog of formula (I-A) is as described in the disclosure. Oligonucleotides containing these analogs have superior biological activity, for example, increased in vitro stability and improved in vivo potency especially improved off-target profiles. The improved oligonucleotides are useful for silencing (e.g., reducing or eradicating) the expression of a target gene.

The invention provides xeno-nucleic acid particle display libraries, methods for identifying functional non-natural nucleic acid (XNA) aptamers using the particle display libraries, and compositions comprising XNA aptamers identified by screening candidate molecules using the xeno-nucleic acid particle display libraries.

The disclosure relates to double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNAi) agents and compositions targeting a SOD1 gene, as well as methods of inhibiting expression of a SOD1 gene and methods of treating subjects having a SOD1-associated neurodegenerative disease or disorder, e.g., Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Down's syndrome (DS), using such dsRNAi agents and compositions.

The present disclosure provides oligomeric compounds. Certain such oligomeric compounds are useful for hybridizing to a complementary nucleic acid, including but not limited, to nucleic acids in a cell. In certain embodiments, hybridization results in modulation of the amount activity or expression of the target nucleic acid in a cell.

Provided herein are compositions and methods of use for mimicking miRNA activity. For example, these compositions can be effective in modulating expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as NLRP3. The compositions can be useful for treating musculoskeletal or connective tissue repair or degenerative conditions, for example, tendinopathy and tendon injury.

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The antisense compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.