Provided are compositions and methods for inducing expression of human beta-globin in erythrocytes for use in prophylaxis and/or therapy of a hemoglobinopathy in an individual. The method generally entails introducing into CD34+ cells a polynucleotide encoding: i) a 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR) and a self-inactivating 3′ LTR; ii) at least one polyadenylation signal; iii) at least one promoter; iv) a globin gene locus control region (LCR); v) an ankyrin insulator element (Ank); vi) a Woodchuck Post-Regulatory Element (WPRE) configured such that the WPRE does not integrate into a target genome; and vii) a sequence that is a reverse complement of a sequence encoding human beta-globin, and can include beta-globin that has a PT87Q mutation. Intron 2 of the beta globin gene can be a complete intron. Modified erythrocyte progenitor cells, recombinant vectors and virions comprising recombinant polynucleotides, and methods of making the vectors and virions are included.

The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.

The present disclosure provides dual viruses capable of producing a primary virus and a secondary virus, and dual oncolytic viruses capable of producing a primary oncolytic virus and a secondary oncolytic virus.

The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.

A self-regulating gene expression construct comprises a single promoter in operative association with a repressor sequence (e.g., bacterial repressor lacI or gaiR), operator sequence(s) responsive to the expressed repressor protein, and a transgene. A dual-regulating construct comprises a single promoter controlling expression of a bacterial repressor sequence and a transgene, and which, in the presence of a first inducer molecule, transcribes the transgene and repressor; and a ribozyme in association with an aptamer sequence, the aptamer sequence capable of interacting with a second inducer molecule to terminate mRNA degradation by the ribozyme. Also provided are recombinant vectors or viruses containing the self-regulating or dual self-regulating constructs and cells containing the vectors. Such compositions are useful in methods of treating a diseases using gene therapy.

Provided are compositions and methods for inducing expression of human beta-globin in erythrocytes for use in prophylaxis and/or therapy of a hemoglobinopathy in an individual. The method generally entails introducing into CD34+ cells a poly-nucleotide encoding: i) a 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR) and a self-inactivating 3′ LTR; ii) at least one polyadenylation signal; iii) at least one promoter; iv) a globin gene locus control region (LCR); v) an ankyrin insulator element (Ank); vi) a Woodchuck Post-Regulatory Element (WPRE) configured such that the WPRE does not integrate into a target genome; and vii) a sequence that is a reverse complement of a sequence encoding human beta-globin, and can include beta-globin that has a PT87Q mutation. Intron 2 of the beta globin gene can be a complete intron. Modified erythrocyte progenitor cells, recombinant vectors and virions comprising recombinant polynucleotides, and methods of making the vectors and virions are included.

Provided are compositions and methods for inducing expression of human beta-globin in erythrocytes for use in prophylaxis and/or therapy of a hemoglobinopathy in an individual. The method generally entails introducing into CD34+ cells a polynucleotide encoding: i) a 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR) and a self-inactivating 3′ LTR; ii) at least one polyadenylation signal; iii) at least one promoter; iv) a globin gene locus control region (LCR); v) an ankyrin insulator element (Ank); vi) a Woodchuck Post-Regulatory Element (WPRE) configured such that the WPRE does not integrate into a target genome; and vii) a sequence that is a reverse complement of a sequence encoding human beta-globin, and can include beta-globin that has a βT87Q mutation. Intron 2 of the beta globin gene can be a complete intron. Modified erythrocyte progenitor cells, recombinant vectors and virions comprising recombinant polynucleotides, and methods of making the vectors and virions are included.

The present invention relates to the field of molecular biology and cell biology. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-guiding integration construct for a genome editing system.

The invention provides polynucleotide constructs for the regulation of gene expression by aptamer-based modulation of self-cleaving ribozymes and methods of using the constructs to regulate gene expression in response to the presence or absence of a ligand that binds the aptamer. The invention further provides methods for making and using riboswitches that decrease target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand as well as riboswitches that increase target gene expression in response to an aptamer ligand.

A self-regulating gene expression construct comprises a single promoter in operative association with a repressor sequence (e.g., bacterial repressor lacI or gaiR), operator sequence(s) responsive to the expressed repressor protein, and a transgene. A dual-regulating construct comprises a single promoter controlling expression of a bacterial repressor sequence and a transgene, and which, in the presence of a first inducer molecule, transcribes the transgene and repressor; and a ribozyme in association with an aptamer sequence, the aptamer sequence capable of interacting with a second inducer molecule to terminate mRNA degradation by the ribozyme. Also provided are recombinant vectors or viruses containing the self-regulating or dual self-regulating constructs and cells containing the vectors. Such compositions are useful in methods of treating a diseases using gene therapy.