Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

Other

Yeda Research and Develpment & Co. Ltd

The Medical Research Fund at the Tel-aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Hermona Soreq

Haim Zakut

Shlomo Seidman

Fritz Eckstein

Alon Friedman

Daniela Kaufer

Moshe Shani

Shlomo Magdassi

Uri Banin

Raz Yirmiya

Nir Waiskopf

Shira Halivni

Amol Ashok Pawar

David Greenberg

Tama Evron

Dan Grisaru

Yuval Ben-Shahar

Charles Joel Arntzen

Hugh S Mason

Esther Shohami

Tsafrir Mor

Varda Deutsch

Shlomo Siedman

Zakut Haim

Chava Perry

Marjorie Pick

Ella Sklan

Uriah Bekenstein

Keren Ailon

Irit Shapira-Lichter

Jackilynne Seidman, Legal Representative

Jackiline Saidman, Legal Representative

Sofia Eldor, Legal Representative

Geula Hanin

Varda Deutch

David S Greenberg

Method for controlling for the appearance of seizures in the mammalian brain comprising modifying the abundance of a specific miRNA&#x2014;miR-211, for uses in preventing seizures and providing a model system to examine the effect of a drug or a treatment to seizures.

Methods for controlling seizures by manipulating the levels of microRNA-211 (miR-211) in the brain

Provided is a novel photoinitiator in the form of a hybrid nanoparticle constructed of a semiconductor and metallic regions, and uses thereof.

Hybrid nanoparticles as photoinitiators

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.

Downregulating miR-132 for the treatment of lipid related disorders

AChE antisense oligonucleotides are used as antiinflammatory agents, such oligonucleotides preferably having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:7. Methods of treatment of inflammatory conditions, as well as fever, and particularly inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, are described.

Antisense oligonucleotides against AChE in the treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation disorders

The present invention describes the use of an AChE-R-derived peptide, also known as ARP, as an inducer of hemopoietic cell differentiation and expansion, specifically for the granulocytic population. In addition, the use of ARP as an inducer of thrombopoietin and pro-inflammatory cytokines is also presented. ARP may further be used in the pre-transplant priming of hematopoietic stem cells. Other uses and methods utilizing ARP are also described herein.

Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE)-derived peptide as an inducer of granulocytopoiesis, uses and methods thereof

The invention provides methods/kits for assessing levels of trait or state anxiety in a subject by comparing genotypes and/or expression patterns at the ACHE, PON1 and/or BChE genes to the genotype and/or expression pattern of the genes in a reference population whose genotype and/or expression pattern of the genes is known or by correlating AChE levels activity to those of PON.

Method for assessing trait anxiety by determining cholinergic status

The invention relates to an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to the coding region of the human acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which selectively suppresses the AChE-R isoform of the enzyme. The antisense oligonucleotide is intended for use in the treatment and/or prevention of neuromuscular disorders, preferably myasthenia gravis. In addition, it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and destroy AChE-R within central nervous system neurons, while also serving as a carrier to transport molecules across the BBB.

Antisense oligonucleotide against human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and uses thereof

The invention relates to a cell growth and/or differentiation regulatory peptide comprising a sequence of about 9 to about 150 amino acids derived from acetylcholinesterase amino acid sequence, preferably from the C-terminal region of acetylcholinesterase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides, particularly for use in promoting survival of stem cells, promoting differentiation of stem cells, promoting growth of stem cells and/or promoting the growth-enhancing effect of a growth factor on stem cells, alone, or in combination with other growth factors. Of particular interest is the use of the peptides in the treatment of thrombocytopenia, post-irradiation conditions, post-chemotherapy conditions, or conditions following massive blood loss and promotion of neural progenitors in use for cell therapies aimed at restoring neural functions in diseased individuals. Further, the invention relates to antibodies against the peptides, inter alia for diagnostic use, for example, the diagnosis of stress-induced male infertility. The invention also relates to in vitro and in vivo methods for screening of drugs that affect the central nervous system, and are potential modulators of interactions between the 'readthrough' form of acteylcholinesterase, AChE-R, the intracellular receptor RACK1 and the kinase PKC.

Acetylcholinesterase-derived peptides and uses thereof

The invention relates to antibodies recognizing acetylcholinesterase or a C-terminal peptide derived from acetyl-cholinesterase, useful in diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level, disruption of the blood-brain barrier or Alzheimer's disease. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) stress, elevated glucocorticoid level or disruption of the blood-brain barrier in a mammal, by use of the antibodies of the invention.

Uses of antibodies against AChE and peptides thereof

The present invention relates to novel alternative forms of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and nucleotide sequences encoding the same. The genes encoding the novel forms of human AChE have been identified in various malignant tumor cells. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a transgenic animal assay system for evaluating efficacy of drugs against cholinergic proteins, prior to or in the course of therapeutic treatment. Transgenic animals, preferably developing tadpole ofor mice which express human AChE, are used. The transgenic animal assay system is also useful for evaluating the toxicity of substances which potentially block human AChE (e.g. organophosphorous compounds).

Transgenic non-human mammals producing a cholinesterase in their milk

Briefly stated, the invention includes a method of making a transgenic plant that is capable of expressing a physiologically active human acetylcholinesterase, comprising the steps of introducing into at least one plant cell a polynucleotide that encodes a human acetylcholinesterase, and regenerating from the plant cell a transgenic plant that is capable of expressing a physiologically active human acetylcholinesterase in at least one tissue type of the transgenic plant. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of making a physiologically active human acetylcholinesterase, comprising the steps of introducing into at least one plant cell a polynucleotide that encodes a human acetylcholinesterase, regenerating from the plant cell a transgenic plant that is capable of expressing a physiologically active human acetylcholinesterase in at least one tissue type of the transgenic plant, and isolating or purifying from the transgenic plant or a part thereof a physiologically active human acetylcholinesterase.

Expression of recombinant human acetylcholinesterase in transgenic plants

The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for treating injury to the central nervous system (CNS). The method includes administering to the CNS of a patient suffering from such an injury a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) production immediately following the injury. The methods use as the inhibitor a synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligonucleotide or ribozyme that is directed against an accessible domain of the AChE mRNA brain variant. The treatment downregulates AChE production and thereby activity. The injury to the CNS may be a head injury (closed or open), brain injury, or spinal cord trauma or other trauma to the CNS.

Methods and compositions for the treatment of injury to the central nervous system

A method of screening for a genetic predisposition to anticholinesterase exposure. The method includes the steps of obtaining a peripheral blood sample, and then analysing serum from the blood sample for BuChE levels and inhibitor-susceptibilities. The DNA of peripheral white blood cells from the blood sample is also screened for the presence of BuChE alleles thereby identifying patients who have a genetic predisposition to anticholinesterase exposure.

Method of screening for genetic predisposition to anticholinesterase therapy

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Jerusalem, Israel

Hermona Soreq