CD1 Peptide-Epitope Vaccination for Intracellular Pathogen Cytotoxicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vaccination strategies for intracellular pathogens, particularly viruses, are inefficient in eliciting a robust cytotoxic immune response due to interference by pathogens and variability in MHC class II determinants, leading to incomplete pathogen elimination and side effects from chemotherapies.

Innovation Solution

Administration of a CD1 peptide-epitope followed by a second peptide comprising MHC Class I epitope, which activates NKT and CD8+ T cells, enhancing the immune response and promoting a focused Th1-like cytotoxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If classical vaccination strategies using virus- or pathogen-derived proteins are used, then antibody production is boosted, but cytotoxic immune response is weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibody productionVSAvoidcytotoxic immune response
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine composition is segmented into two distinct components: (1) virus- or pathogen-derived proteins for antibody induction, and (2) CD1 peptide-epitopes for cytotoxic T cell activation. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in eliciting its respective immune response without interfering with the other, thereby resolving the contradiction between antibody production and cytotoxic response generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges two previously separate vaccination approaches into a single combined vaccine composition. The CD1 peptide-epitopes are administered together with the virus- or pathogen-derived proteins, creating a synergistic effect that simultaneously boosts both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated (cytotoxic) immunity, thus overcoming the limitation of classical single-component vaccines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If MHC class II determinants are used for CD4+ T cell activation, then vaccine response strength varies between individuals, but population coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual response variabilityVSAvoidvaccine efficacy prediction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The CD1 peptide-epitopes serve as a universal component that can activate cytotoxic T cells across different individuals regardless of their MHC class II polymorphism. While MHC class II determinants exhibit high variability leading to inconsistent CD4+ T cell activation, the CD1 pathway provides a consistent, population-wide mechanism for inducing cytotoxic immunity, thereby improving vaccine efficacy prediction and reliability across diverse populations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If chemotherapies including potent antibiotics and antiviral molecules are used, then pathogen growth is inhibited, but side effects are significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathogen eliminationVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical/chemical approach of chemotherapies (antibiotics and antiviral molecules) with a biological approach using CD1 peptide-epitopes to activate the patient's own immune system. This substitution eliminates the need for potent chemical agents and their associated side effects, while still achieving effective pathogen elimination through enhanced cytotoxic T cell responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If vaccination preferentially recruits CD4+ T cells, then antibody response is enhanced, but cytotoxicity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibody responseVSAvoidcytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The CD1 peptide-epitopes act as a preliminary action that primes and activates cytotoxic T cells before the main virus- or pathogen-derived protein vaccination takes effect. This preliminary activation ensures that when the pathogen-specific antigens are presented, both CD4+ T cells (for antibody production) and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (for direct pathogen killing) are already engaged and ready to respond, thereby achieving balanced dual immunity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4176264B1CD1 peptide-epitope for use in the treatment of a disease caused by an intracellular pathogen
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 EQUALY SA

AI summary

A CD1 peptide-epitope for use in the treatment of a disease causedby an intracellular pathogen, the method for the identification ofthis CD1 peptide epitope, the pharmaceutical kit comprising thisCD1 peptide epitope and the method to treat a patient against adisease caused by an intracellular pathogen or to prevent suchinfection, based on vaccination with this CD1 peptide-epitope.