Bacillus subtilis CU1 Probiotic Modulation of Inflammatory Cytokines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for chronic inflammatory rheumatism, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are costly, have significant side effects, and do not adequately address the underlying inflammatory processes, leading to joint damage and disability.

Innovation Solution

The use of the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1, which decreases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-12, and IL-17, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10, thereby reducing joint damage and inflammation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulatory drugs are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, then joint inflammation and cytokine production are suppressed, but the treatments are costly and have significant side effects including weight gain, gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis, and hypertension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Streptococcus thermophilus) as intermediary agents to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. These probiotics act as mediators between the host immune system and the inflammatory response, producing anti-inflammatory effects through bacterial metabolites and immune modulation without the harmful side effects of conventional drugs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs probiotic bacteria that can be administered orally and are naturally eliminated from the body, replacing expensive, long-term pharmaceutical treatments. The probiotics are cost-effective, naturally degradable biological agents that provide temporary but effective immune modulation without accumulating harmful effects in the body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional anti-inflammatory drugs are used to suppress joint inflammation, then cytokine production is reduced, but joint damage and deformities still occur due to uncontrolled immune response and chronic inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of inflammatory flare-upsVSAvoidjoint damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful chronic inflammatory response into a beneficial anti-inflammatory state by using probiotics to shift the immune balance. The probiotics stimulate regulatory T cells and produce anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β) that counteract the harmful pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6), thereby converting the pathogenic immune response into a protective one

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

Solution Approach 2:

The probiotics enable the immune system to self-regulate and restore balance without continuous external drug intervention. By colonizing the gut and modulating the immune system, the probiotics trigger the body's own regulatory mechanisms, allowing the immune system to control inflammation internally through enhanced regulatory T cell activity and anti-inflammatory cytokine production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If long-term anti-inflammatory medication is administered to achieve disease stabilization and remission, then inflammatory flare-ups are controlled, but adverse effects such as weight gain, gastrointestinal disorders, and increased risks of osteoporosis and hypertension develop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of treatmentVSAvoidadverse effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses short-lived probiotic bacteria that are administered orally and naturally eliminated, replacing long-term pharmaceutical use. The probiotics provide temporary immune modulation with each administration cycle, and their natural degradation prevents accumulation of harmful effects, enabling long-term treatment without the cumulative toxicity of conventional drugs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment from chemical pharmaceuticals to biological probiotic agents. This parameter change shifts the mechanism of action from direct pharmacological suppression to biological immune modulation, fundamentally altering the side effect profile from harmful metabolic and systemic effects to benign gastrointestinal fermentation effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Bacillus subtilis CU1 effectively reduces inflammatory cytokines, delays and reduces macroscopic symptoms, and prevents joint destruction, offering a less expensive and side-effect-free alternative for treating chronic inflammatory rheumatism.

Implementation Method 1

decreases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-12, and IL-17, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCytokine modulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3021858B1Strain cu1 for the treatment and/or prevention of chronic inflammatory rheumatism
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 LESAFFRE & CIE
  • EP3021858B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3021858B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3021858B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention concerns the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 filed with the French Collection Nationale de Culture des Microorganismes (National Collection of Microorganism Cultures) under number I-2745, cells obtained by culturing said strain and a composition comprising cells obtained by culturing said strain, for the use thereof in the treatment and/or prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases, and in particular chronic inflammatory rheumatism.