RSPO3 Furin domain-conjugated liposomes for selective drug delivery to LGR5-high cells.

The transmembrane receptor LGR5 potentiates Wnt/β-catenin signaling by binding both secreted R-spondin (RSPOs) and the Wnt tumor suppressors RNF43/ZNRF3, directing clearance of RNF43/ZNRF3 from the cell surface. Besides being widely used as a stem cell marker in various tissues, LGR5 is overexpressed in many types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Its expression characterizes a subpopulation of cancer cells that play a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression and cancer relapse, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Development of Lentiviral Vectors Simultaneously Expressing Multiple siRNAs Against CCR5, vif and tat/rev Genes for an HIV-1 Gene Therapy Approach.

Gene therapy holds considerable promise for the functional cure of HIV-1 infection and, in this context, RNA interference (RNAi)-based approaches represent powerful strategies. Stable expression of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting HIV genes or cellular cofactors has the potential to render HIV-1 susceptible cells resistant to infection. To inhibit different steps of virus life cycle, self-inactivating lentiviral vectors expressing multiple siRNAs targeting the CCR5 cellular gene as well as vif and tat/rev viral transcripts, under the control of different RNA polymerase III promoters (U6, 7SK, H1) were developed.

Loss-of-Function Mutations in the WNT Co-receptor LRP6 Cause Autosomal-Dominant Oligodontia.

Tooth agenesis is one of the most common developmental anomalies in man. Oligodontia, a severe form of tooth agenesis, occurs both as an isolated anomaly and as a syndromal feature. We performed exome sequencing on 20 unrelated individuals with apparent non-syndromic oligodontia and failed to detect mutations in genes previously associated with oligodontia.