Bacterial Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Immunity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vaccines for serious infections like those caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and Staphylococcus aureus are limited, and existing antibiotic regimens face challenges due to rapid bacterial drug resistance, necessitating novel antibacterial vaccine strategies.

Innovation Solution

Development of nanoparticles with an inner core of non-cellular material coated with a bacterial membrane, specifically using bacterial outer membrane vesicles, to create a vaccine platform that elicits bacterium-specific immunity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional vaccines are used for serious infections, then some protection is provided, but vaccine effectiveness is limited and unavailable for many pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaccine effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to different pathogens

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a nanoparticle platform that can be adapted to multiple different bacterial pathogens through coating with various bacterial membranes. The core nanoparticle structure remains universal while the bacterial membrane coating can be changed to target different pathogens, making the vaccine system versatile across E. coli, H. pylori, S. aureus and other bacteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining synthetic nanoparticle cores with natural bacterial membrane coatings. This hybrid structure integrates the stability and controllability of synthetic materials with the immunogenicity and pathogen-specificity of natural bacterial components, creating a more effective vaccine platform than traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If existing antibiotic regimens are used, then bacterial infections are treated, but rapid emergence of bacterial drug resistance threatens effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibiotic effectivenessVSAvoidresistance to bacterial adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful aspect of bacterial membranes (which cause immune responses and pathogenicity) into a beneficial vaccine component. By using bacterial outer membrane vesicles as coatings, the patent harnesses the immune-stimulating properties of bacterial components to create protective immunity, transforming what is normally harmful into a protective mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If cell membrane-coated nanoparticles are created, then complex cellular functions are harnessed, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune activation capabilityVSAvoidnanoparticle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by isolating and using only the essential outer membrane vesicles from bacteria, rather than attempting to replicate entire complex cellular structures. This extraction approach captures the key immunogenic components needed for vaccine functionality while simplifying the overall nanoparticle construction and manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10588867B2Modulating antibacterial immunity via bacterial membrane-coated nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

Nanoparticles are provided comprising an inner core comprising a non-cellular material, and an outer surface comprising a bacterial membrane, e.g., a bacterial membrane derived from a bacteria outer membrane vesicle. Also provided are compositions, e.g., medicament delivery systems and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the present nanoparticles. Also provided are uses of the present nanoparticles, pharmaceutical compositions and medicament delivery systems for treating and/or preventing a disease or condition, e.g., bacterial infection, in a subject.