CATH2 Derivatives Induce Trained Immunity for Antimicrobial Defense

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating infectious diseases, particularly those caused by bacteria and fungi, lack effective solutions for enhancing innate immune memory and antimicrobial activity, leading to inadequate protection against pathogens like Salmonella enteritidis and Candida albicans.

Innovation Solution

The use of CATH2 and its derivatives to activate, induce, or promote innate immune memory by administering them to subjects, thereby enhancing antimicrobial activity and improving treatment outcomes against specific pathogens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial treatments are used, then direct antimicrobial effect is achieved, but innate immune memory is not activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against pathogen reinfectionVSAvoidimmune system responsiveness to pathogens

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by administering CATH2 peptide before pathogen challenge to pre-activate innate immune cells (monocytes/macrophages). This preliminary stimulation induces epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming that create long-lasting immune memory, enabling enhanced protective responses upon subsequent pathogen exposure without requiring repeated antimicrobial treatments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If high doses of antimicrobial agents are administered, then immediate pathogen control is achieved, but immune system activation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen clearance efficiencyVSAvoidlong-term immune protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses CATH2 peptide as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between pathogen detection and immune activation. Rather than directly killing pathogens, CATH2 acts as a mediator that binds to pattern recognition receptors (TLR2, TLR4) on innate immune cells, triggering signaling cascades that activate immune memory and enhance protective responses, thereby indirectly achieving pathogen control through immune system empowerment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If repeated antimicrobial treatments are given, then pathogen load is reduced, but immune memory induction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen burden reductionVSAvoidduration of immune protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of cathelicidin peptides to create CATH2 with optimized properties. The peptide incorporates D-amino acids to resist proteolytic degradation, extends half-life in circulation, and enhances binding affinity to pattern recognition receptors. These parameter modifications enable sustained immune activation and durable memory formation with minimal dosing frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240050526A1CATH2 derivatives for stimulating innate immune memory

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT HOLDING BV

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for activating, inducing or promoting innate immune memory in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject CATH2 or a derivative thereof. The invention further relates to methods of improving antimicrobial treatment in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject CATH2 or a derivative thereof and to a use of CATH2 or a derivative thereof as an adjuvant for a pathogen-specific vaccine.