University of South Florida

The United States Government As Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Jia-Wang Wang

Richard F Lockey

Shyam S Mohapatra

William Garrow Kerr

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) gene editing technique, based on the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway, can efficiently generate gene knockouts of variably sizes. More precise genome editing, either the insertion or deletion of a desired fragment, can be done by combining the homology-directed-repair (HDR) pathway with CRISPR cleavage. HDR-mediated gene knock-in experiments are inefficient, with no reports of successful gene knock-in with DNA fragments larger than 4 kb. Targeted insertion of large DNA fragments (7.4 and 5.8 kb) into the genomes of mouse embryonic stem cells and zygotes, respectively, using the CRISPR/HDR technique without NHEJ inhibitors was performed and indicate that CRISPR/HDR without NHEJ inhibitors can result in highly efficient gene knock-in, equivalent to CRISPR/HDR with NHEJ inhibitors. Although NHEJ is the dominant repair pathway associated with CRISPR-mediated double-strand breaks (DSBs), and biallelic gene knock-ins are common, NHEJ and biallelic gene knock-ins were not detected.

Efficient CRISPR/HDR-mediated knock-in system and method of use

Anti-cytokine therapy has revolutionized immunological disease treatment, but is not always effective and subject to treatment resistance as the cytokine cascade is highly redundant and multiple cytokines are involved in inflammation. Targeting a critical common regulator of inflammatory effectors is desirable. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive beige-like anchor (LRBA) is a master regulator of multiple genes important for inflammation. Subcellular localization shows that LRBA translocated to the nucleus upon LPS stimulation and colocalized with multiple proteins associated with the endosome membrane system, indicating a critical role in membrane/vesicle trafficking essential for deposition, secretion and signal transduction of immune effectors. Deregulation, deficiency, down-regulation and overexpression of LRBA causes defective trafficking and signaling of immune effector molecules, resulting in immunodeficiency and autoimmunity diseases associated with a broader spectrum of severe symptoms when compared to other CVID genes. Modulating LRBA through antibodies, dominant negative mutants, or small interference RNA can be used to treat inflammatory diseases.

Inflammatory disease diagnosis and methods of treatment using down-regulators of lipopolysaccharide-responsive beige-like anchor

Described herein are multiplexed RNA, including miRNA, PCR-based assays.

Multiplexed RNA qPCR assay

The invention concerns a non-human animal model useful for sensitively studying gene-gene interactions over a wide genetic background; methods for producing the animal model; and methods for studying gene-gene interactions using an animal model of the invention.

Animal model and method for studying gene-gene interactions

Inflammatory disease diagnosis and methods of treatment using lipopolysaccharides-responsive beige-like anchor

The present invention provides materials and methods for detecting, quantifying, and/or high-throughput-profiling microRNAs. Advantageously, the present invention is more sensitive and specific than other currently-available miRNA qPCR assays. In addition, the present invention is convenient, easy-to-perform, and cost-effective. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a universal primer for reverse transcription of all miRNAs, a universal reverse primer for PCR amplification reaction, and universal probes. In another embodiment, the present invention provides assays that allow simultaneous detection and/or quantification of a plurality of target miRNAs using a single reverse transcription reaction.

Materials and methods for profiling microRNAs

MicroRNAs are shown to be up- and/or down-regulated in inflammation and immune cells using a mouse model of asthma and regulatory T cells as source of RNA, respectively. Modulating the expression of these microRNAs can be effective in redirecting inflammation and immunity and hence, can be beneficial as biomarkers or as therapeutic agents against diverse human immunologic and inflammatory diseases.

Micro-RNAs modulating immunity and inflammation

The present invention relates to a novel LPS-responsive and Beige-like Anchor gene (lrba), variants of the lrba gene, fragments of the lrba gene, and polypeptides encoded thereby. The subject invention also pertains to lrba interfering RNA, and uses thereof. In another aspect, the present invention also includes methods of inhibiting tumor growth in a patient by suppressing lrba function.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Jia-Wang Wang