Allogeneic Graft Modification via Anti-CD4 Antibodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunosuppressive drugs used in solid organ transplantation are ineffective in distinguishing between T cell clones responsible for graft rejection and those maintaining healthy immunological reactions, leading to side effects such as infections and secondary tumors due to systemic immunosuppression.

Innovation Solution

The use of anti-CD4 antibodies, specifically MAX.16H5 IgG1, to modify allogeneic grafts by incubating them with the antibodies for 1 minute to 7 days and removing unbound antibodies, which are then used in transplantation to prevent graft-versus-host disease without suppressing the graft-versus-leukemia effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional immunosuppressive drugs are used to prevent graft rejection, then graft acceptance is improved, but systemic immunosuppression occurs leading to infections and secondary tumors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraft acceptanceVSAvoidinfections and secondary tumors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the immunosuppressive effect by using anti-CD4 antibodies to specifically target and deplete CD4+ T helper cells, which are primarily responsible for graft rejection. This selective approach spares other immune cell populations (such as CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, B cells, and NK cells) that maintain healthy immunological reactions and provide defense against infections and tumors, thereby achieving graft acceptance without systemic immunosuppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating a specific immunological environment at the graft site through selective CD4+ T cell depletion. The anti-CD4 antibodies are administered to create a localized effect at the transplantation site, reducing rejection responses while preserving systemic immune competence in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional immunosuppressive drugs are used to prevent graft rejection, then graft acceptance is improved, but healthy immunological reactions are suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraft acceptanceVSAvoidhealthy immunological reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the immune system into specific functional components, targeting only CD4+ T helper cells for depletion while preserving other immune cell types. This segmentation allows the maintenance of healthy immunological reactions mediated by spared cell populations (CD8+ T cells, B cells, macrophages, and NK cells) while preventing graft rejection that is primarily driven by CD4+ T cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-CD4 antibody serves as an intermediary agent that selectively modulates the immune response. By binding to and depleting CD4+ T cells, the antibody mediates a specific immunological effect that prevents graft rejection without broadly suppressing the entire immune system, thus preserving healthy immunological functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach induces immune tolerance, reducing the need for conventional immunosuppressive drugs, preventing graft rejection, and minimizing side effects, while maintaining the graft-versus-leukemia effect, thereby making allogeneic organ transplantation safer and reducing long-term treatment complications.

Implementation Method 1

incubating a graft with an anti-CD4 antibody wherein said incubating is carried out for from 1 min to 7 days

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody binding: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3416659B1Prevention of graft rejection by prior use of modified grafts
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3416659B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3416659B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3416659B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an unmodified graft, a modified graft and/or a CD4 antagonist (preferably a CD4 antibody) for use in a method of treating one or more disease(s) treatable by transplantation in a subject, wherein said method comprises a first step of introducing into said subject a modified graft, and a second step of introducing into said subject said unmodified graft, wherein said modified graft is a cell graft containing immune cells, wherein said modification impairs CD4. The present invention also relates to various further uses of an unmodified graft, a modified graft and/or a CD4 antagonist.