CD5L:p40 Heterodimers Modulate Immune Response via IL-23 Receptor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory-related cancers lack effective methods to modulate immune responses, particularly in regulating T cell function and IL-23 receptor expression, leading to inadequate control of hyperimmune responses and tumor progression.

Innovation Solution

Administration of recombinant soluble CD5L, CD5L homodimers, or CD5L:p40 heterodimers to modulate immune responses by inhibiting their binding to the IL-23 receptor, using nucleic acids or antibodies to target CD5L and p40, and employing immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T cell therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory-related cancers are used, then disease management is maintained, but effective modulation of immune responses and regulation of T cell function is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of hyperimmune responsesVSAvoidmodulation of immune responses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses CD5L and its heterodimer with p40 as intermediary molecules that bind to the IL-23 receptor, thereby mediating the modulation of immune responses. These intermediaries interfere with the binding of IL-23 to its receptor, suppressing pathogenic T cell responses while maintaining regulatory T cell function, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable control and adaptable modulation of immune responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If IL-23 pathway is activated to enhance anti-tumor immunity, then tumor progression is controlled, but excessive immune responses and inflammation are exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-tumor immunityVSAvoidexcessive immune responses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the effects of CD5L modulation on different T cell subsets. By specifically suppressing pathogenic T cell responses (reducing harmful factors) while preserving or enhancing regulatory T cell function (maintaining beneficial anti-tumor immunity), the treatment achieves localized modulation of immune quality rather than blanket suppression or activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If CD5L homodimers are used to modulate immune response, then binding to IL-23 receptor is inhibited, but formation of functional heterodimers with p40 is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition of IL-23 receptor bindingVSAvoidformation of CD5L:p40 heterodimers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs CD5L homodimers as a functional copy or alternative form that can substitute for the heterodimeric CD5L:p40 complex in mediating immune modulation. The homodimers replicate the essential function of binding to and inhibiting the IL-23 receptor pathway, providing a simplified version that achieves the same therapeutic effect without requiring p40 partner formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 approach effectively suppresses excessive immune responses in autoimmune diseases and enhances anti-tumor immunity by regulating T cell function and IL-23 receptor expression, thereby reducing disease severity and tumor growth.

Implementation Method 1

CD5L and p40 form heterodimers in vivo, and that these heterodimers modulate the immune response

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeterodimer formation:

Implementation Method 2

Some embodiments comprise methods for modulating an immune response or suppressing an immune response (e.g., an inflammatory immune response) in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant soluble CD5L, a CD5L:CD5L homodimer, a CD5L:p40 heterodimer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImmunomodulation:

Implementation Method 3

In some embodiments, the agent comprises an antibody, or an antigen binding fragment thereof, that binds to one or more of the CD5L, the CD5L homodimer, or the CD5L:p40 heterodimer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3377086B1Lymphocyte antigen CD5-like (CD5l)-interleukin 12b (P40) heterodimers in immunity
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 THE BROAD INST INC
  • EP3377086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377086B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377086B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Described herein are methods for suppressing an immune response in a subject, e.g., a subject with an autoimmune disease, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant CD5L, CD5L homodimers and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimers, or nucleic acids encoding any of these. Also described are methods for enhancing an immune response in a subject, e.g., a subject with cancer, infection, or an immune deficiency, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds specifically to CD5L, D5L homodimers and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimers, and inhibits their binding to the IL-23 receptor, or inhibits formation of the CD5L homodimer and/or CD5L:p40 heterodimer, or inhibitory nucleic acids that target CD5L and/or p40.