Control of HSV-1 Infection: Directions for the Development of CRISPR/Cas-Based Therapeutics and Diagnostics.

It is estimated that nearly all individuals have been infected with herpesviruses, with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) representing the most prevalent virus. In most cases, HSV-1 causes non-life-threatening skin damage in adults. However, in patients with compromised immune systems, it can cause serious diseases, including death.

Systemic and local immunosuppression in glioblastoma and its prognostic significance.

The effectiveness of tumor therapy, especially immunotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, critically depends on the activity of the host immune cells. However, various local and systemic mechanisms of immunosuppression operate in cancer patients. Tumor-associated immunosuppression involves deregulation of many components of immunity, including a decrease in the number of T lymphocytes (lymphopenia), an increase in the levels or ratios of circulating and tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive subsets [e.

The need for paradigm shift: prognostic significance and implications of standard therapy-related systemic immunosuppression in glioblastoma for immunotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy.

Despite significant advances in our knowledge regarding the genetics and molecular biology of gliomas over the past two decades and hundreds of clinical trials, no effective therapeutic approach has been identified for adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, and overall survival remains dismal. Great hopes are now placed on combination immunotherapy. In clinical trials, immunotherapeutics are generally tested after standard therapy (radiation, temozolomide, and steroid dexamethasone) or concurrently with temozolomide and/or steroids.

Challenges of CRISPR/Cas-Based Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes: How Not to Engineer a "Trojan Horse".

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas by cytotoxic T-cells. To date, there are no drugs that can prevent the development of T1D. Insulin replacement therapy is the standard care for patients with T1D.

Obtaining a New Gene-Cell Construct Based on Transduced Olfactory Ensheathing Cells for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries.

We developed a viral vector Ad5/35-CAG-mBDNF expressing the mature form of BDNF (mBDNF). On the basis of olfactory ensheathing cells transduced with this adenovector, a new gene-cell construct was obtained. In experiments in vitro, high viability of the transduced olfactory ensheathing cells and enhanced secretion of BDNF by these cells were observed.