Antigen Presenting Cell Delivery via Liposomal Constriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunotherapy methods for enhancing antigen presenting cells (APCs) are limited in effectively modulating immune responses, particularly in tumor homing and viability, due to inefficiencies in delivering agents that enhance APC function and survival.

Innovation Solution

A method involving passing APCs through a cell-deforming constriction to create perturbations that allow agents, such as nucleic acids or proteins, to enter and upregulate specific molecules like CXCR3, CCR5, or anti-apoptotic proteins, thereby enhancing tumor homing, viability, and antigen processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If agents are delivered to enhance APC function, then APC viability and tumor homing are improved, but delivery efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAPC viabilityVSAvoiddelivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the agent by forming it into liposomal encapsulated complexes. This liposomal formulation allows the agent to be delivered intracellularly through endocytosis, fundamentally changing how the agent enters the APC and improving both delivery efficiency and cellular uptake compared to free agent delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a liposome as an intermediary carrier that mediates the delivery of the agent into the APC. The liposome acts as a vehicle that protects the agent, facilitates cellular uptake through endocytosis, and enables intracellular release, thereby resolving the delivery efficiency problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If agents are delivered to enhance APC function, then tumor homing is improved, but delivery method complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetumor homingVSAvoiddelivery method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liposomal complex serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the agent from degradation, facilitates cellular uptake through endocytosis, enables intracellular release, and can be engineered with targeting ligands for tumor-specific homing. This multi-functionality in a single delivery system reduces overall complexity compared to using separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If cell deformation is applied to enable agent entry, then intracellular delivery is achieved, but cell stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintracellular deliveryVSAvoidcell stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful cell deformation into a beneficial delivery mechanism. By using liposomal encapsulation, the agent is delivered via endocytosis, which utilizes the cell's natural engulfment mechanism. The liposome protects the agent during the deformation process and facilitates release inside the cell, converting what would be stress-induced damage into an efficient delivery pathway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20210388390A1Intracellular delivery of biomolecules to enhance antigen presenting cell function

Publication Date: 2021.12.16 STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC

AI summary

The present application provides enhanced antigen presenting cells comprising an agent that enhances the viability and/or function of the antigen presenting cell and/or an antigen and/or an adjuvant, methods of manufacturing such modified antigen presenting cells, and methods of using such modified antigen presenting cells, such as for modulating an immune response in an individual.