Publications by authors named "Y K Tam"

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a congenital multisystem disorder characterized by early-onset bone marrow failure (BMF) and cancer susceptibility. While gene addition and repair therapies are being considered as treatment options, depleted hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pools, poor HSC mobilization, compromised survival during transduction, and increased sensitivity to conventional conditioning strategies limit eligibility for FA patients to receive gene therapies. As an alternative approach, we explored protein replacement by mRNA delivery via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

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X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) is a congenital anemia caused by mutations in ALAS2, a gene responsible for heme synthesis. Treatments are limited to pyridoxine supplements and blood transfusions, offering no definitive cure except for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, only accessible to a subset of patients. The absence of a suitable animal model has hindered the development of gene therapy research for this disease.

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Background: Sepsis is a critical condition characterized by multi-organ dysfunction (MODS) that presents significant treatment challenges. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly Dachaihu decoction (DCH), has shown potential in addressing sepsis-related complications.

Purpose: To comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCH in the treatment of sepsis.

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Combining a T cell-targeting mRNA vaccine encoding the conserved SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RdRp, with a Spike-encoding mRNA vaccine may offer an additional pathway toward COVID-19 protection. Here, we show that a nucleoside-modified RdRp mRNA vaccine raises robust and durable CD8+ T cell responses in mice. Immunization drives a CD8+ T cell response enriched toward a specific RdRp epitope.

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Influenza viruses cause substantial morbidity and mortality every year despite seasonal vaccination. mRNA-based vaccines have the potential to elicit more protective immune responses, but for maximal breadth and durability, it is desirable to deliver both the viral hemagglutinin and neuraminidase glycoproteins. Delivering multiple antigens individually, however, complicates manufacturing and increases cost, thus it would be beneficial to express both proteins from a single mRNA.

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