Anti-KIR Antibodies Modulate NK Cell Cytotoxicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders often rely on immunosuppressive medications that can have severe side effects, and there is a need for more effective ways to modulate NK cell activity to address the role of pro-inflammatory T cells in these conditions.

Innovation Solution

The use of anti-KIR2DL1, 2, and/or 3 antibodies to block or neutralize the inhibitory receptors on NK cells, potentiating their cytotoxic activity against pro-inflammatory T cells, thereby reducing their numbers and mitigating inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immunosuppressive medications are used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, then the activity of pro-inflammatory T cells is reduced, but severe side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing the immunomodulatory effect specifically to NK cells expressing KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, or KIR2DL3 receptors. The antibody treatment selectively enhances cytotoxic activity only in this specific NK cell subset, rather than broadly suppressing the entire immune system. This localized approach reduces off-target effects on other immune cells and tissues, thereby minimizing severe side effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness against pro-inflammatory T cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an antibody as an intermediary substance that binds to KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, or KIR2DL3 receptors on NK cells. This intermediary blocks the inhibitory signaling pathway, thereby potentiating NK cell cytotoxic activity indirectly. Rather than directly suppressing T cells with immunosuppressants, the antibody mediates the effect by modulating NK cell function, which then leads to reduced T cell activity through enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If NK cell activity is potentiated to eliminate pro-inflammatory T cells, then the number of pro-inflammatory T cells is reduced, but auto-reactivity-related toxicity may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pro-inflammatory T cellsVSAvoidauto-reactivity-related toxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by specifically targeting NK cells that express KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, or KIR2DL3 receptors. This selective modulation ensures that only specific NK cell subsets with the appropriate receptor profile are activated. The localized enhancement of cytotoxic activity in these specific NK cell populations reduces the risk of widespread auto-reactivity while effectively eliminating pro-inflammatory T cells that express the corresponding ligands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the antibody treatment potentiates NK cell cytotoxic activity in a controlled manner. The enhanced NK cell activity leads to reduced numbers of pro-inflammatory T cells, which in turn reduces the inflammatory stimulus that would otherwise drive further NK cell activation. This negative feedback loop helps prevent excessive auto-reactivity while maintaining sufficient cytotoxic activity to eliminate pathogenic T cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively reduces the number of pro-inflammatory T cells involved in inflammatory or autoimmune disorders without inducing auto-reactivity-related toxicity, offering a potential for improved treatment outcomes with reduced side effects.

Implementation Method 1

administration to an individual having an inflammatory or autoimmune disorder, an amount of a compound that inhibits a KIR2DL1, 2, and/or 3 polypeptide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Data Source

PatentEP2714741B1Anti-KIR antibodies for the treatment of inflammatory disorders
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 INNATE PHARMA SA
  • EP2714741B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2714741B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2714741B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This invention relates to compounds that inhibit KIR2DL1, 2 and/or 3 polypeptide comprising compounds (e.g., anti-KIR2DL1, 2,-and/or 3 antibodies) that neutralize NK cell inhibitory receptors and methods of using such compounds and compositions containing in the treatment and prevention of inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.