ASG5 Apocrine Cell Line for Long-Term Proliferation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a human-derived apocrine cell line that exhibits long-term proliferation, which hampers research on apocrine gland functions, particularly in understanding sweating mechanisms and developing deodorants, as existing cell lines lose morphological and functional characteristics within a few passages.

Innovation Solution

A human apocrine cell line, ASG5, is developed and maintained through at least 30 subcultures, allowing for indefinite proliferation, and characterized using electrophysiological, molecular, and biochemical techniques to mimic the functions of apocrine glands, including steroid synthesis and odor precursor analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If primary apocrine cell lines are cultured, then apocrine gland function can be studied, but the cells lose morphological and functional characteristics after a few passages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveculture durationVSAvoidcell characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing culture conditions including specific growth factors (EGF, bFGF), serum concentration (5-10% FCS), and passage timing to maintain apocrine cell characteristics throughout extended culture periods, allowing long-term studies without loss of functional properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a stable cell line model that copies the in vivo apocrine gland architecture and function, enabling researchers to study authentic apocrine physiology and pathology in vitro without requiring continuous primary cell isolation, thus preserving cell characteristics indefinitely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If in vivo studies are used to study apocrine gland functions, then comprehensive data can be obtained, but ethical concerns and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresearch data qualityVSAvoidstudy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cell line model as an intermediary system that bridges in vivo and in vitro research, capturing the complexity of living apocrine glands while providing a simplified, controllable in vitro platform for ethical and practical research applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2126053B1Apocrine cell line
Publication Date: 2010.11.17 UNILEVER PLC
  • EP2126053B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2126053B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2126053B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An Apocrine cell line An apocrine cell line is obtained by the steps of isolating an apocrine cell from primary tissue, culturing the isolated cell in a first culture medium, removing unattached cells from the first culture medium and transferring said unattached cells to a second culture medium comprising an effective concentration of a phorbol ester, and thereby establishing an apocrine cell line exhibiting long-term proliferation capability, which after many cultures is indicative of indefinite proliferation.