Beta-glucan molecular weight optimization for Lactobacillus growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively enhance the growth of specific lactic acid bacteria and increase regulatory T-cell numbers, which are crucial for maintaining intestinal health and suppressing inflammatory bowel diseases.
Innovation Solution
A growth enhancer containing β-glucans with molecular weights between 0.2 K to 50 K, specifically activating Dectin-1, is administered to promote the growth of Lactobacillus murinus and Lactobacillus salivarius, leading to an increase in regulatory T-cells and suppression of inflammatory diseases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional β-glucans are used to boost host immunity, then immune response is enhanced, but specific growth enhancement of lactic acid bacteria is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a particular molecular weight range (1,000-10,000 Daltons) for β-glucans. This precise parameter optimization enables the β-glucans to simultaneously enhance immune response through Dectin-1 activation and promote lactic acid bacterium growth, resolving the contradiction between general immunity enhancement and specific bacterial growth promotion.
2Reliability
If Dectin-1 signaling is activated to protect from fungal infections, then antifungal immunity is improved, but the function on mucosal immune system and gut microorganisms remains unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses β-glucans as an intermediary substance to bridge the gap between Dectin-1 activation and its effects on mucosal immunity. By administering β-glucans and observing their dual effects on immune response and lactic acid bacterium growth, the patent reveals the previously unknown function of Dectin-1 signaling in promoting regulatory T-cell development and maintaining gut microbiota balance.
3Reliability
If commensal bacteria are used to influence intestinal immunity, then immune modulation is achieved, but accurate control of regulatory T-cell development is not realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the use of complex commensal bacteria systems with a simpler, more controllable chemical substance (β-glucans with specific molecular weight). This substitution allows for precise control over regulatory T-cell development while maintaining the beneficial immune modulation effects, achieving both reliability and manufacturing precision.
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
The administration of β-glucans with specific molecular weights enhances the growth of Lactobacillus species, increases regulatory T-cell numbers, and effectively suppresses inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic responses.
Implementation Method 1
β-glucans with molecular weights between 0.2 K to 50 K, specifically activating Dectin-1
Implementation Method 2
leading to an increase in regulatory T-cells and suppression of inflammatory diseases
Data Source
AI summary
A growth enhancer for Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus salivarius, or a bacterium that belongs to the genus Lactobacillus and that has a homology of 16S rDNA of 90% or higher with Lactobacillus murinus or Lactobacillus salivarius includes a β-glucan having a molecular weight of from 0.2 K to 50 K. A regulatory T-cell number increasing agent, a method of enhancing growth of a lactic acid bacterium, a method of increasing the number of regulatory T-cells, a method of evaluating a regulatory T-cell number increasing effect, and a method of evaluating a growth enhancing effect on a lactic acid bacterium are also provided.