Clostridium Composition for Treg Cell Accumulation and Immune Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

The mechanisms of how intestinal commensal bacteria induce the proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon and their role in immune regulation are unclear, which hinders effective treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Innovation Solution

The use of chloroform-treated fecal samples and spore-forming bacteria from the genus Clostridium are found to induce the proliferation and accumulation of regulatory T cells, which suppress immune responses and regulate local and systemic immune functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intestinal commensal bacteria are used to induce regulatory T cells, then immune suppression is enhanced and therapeutic benefits are achieved, but the mechanisms of induction and bacterial species identification are unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidmechanism clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses chloroform-treated fecal samples as an intermediary to isolate and identify specific bacterial components (spore-forming bacteria) that induce Treg cells. This mediator approach allows the researchers to bridge the gap between unknown mechanisms and observable therapeutic effects, ultimately identifying Clostridium species as the active agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanistic studies with a functional screening approach using chloroform treatment. Instead of directly investigating unknown molecular mechanisms, the invention uses chemical treatment to selectively preserve or eliminate bacterial components, thereby identifying the active principles through functional outcomes rather than direct mechanistic observation.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If specific bacterial species are identified to induce Treg cells, then targeted treatment is achieved, but the complexity of intestinal microbiota analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeted treatment capabilityVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts specific bacterial components (spore-forming bacteria, particularly Clostridium species) from the complex intestinal microbiota using chloroform treatment. This extraction approach isolates the active therapeutic agents from the overwhelming complexity of the entire microbiota, enabling targeted identification and application without requiring complete characterization of all microbial components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If chloroform-treated fecal samples are used to isolate active components, then specific bacteria are identified, but the complexity of sample processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial identification accuracyVSAvoidsample processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the fecal sample by adding chloroform, which selectively affects spore-forming bacteria. This parameter change (introduction of chloroform) simplifies the complex microbiota by selectively preserving or eliminating specific bacterial groups, thereby facilitating the identification of active components without requiring equally complex analytical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4014982B1Composition for inducing proliferation or accumulation of regulatory t cells
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 THE UNIV OF TOKYO
  • EP4014982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4014982B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4014982B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

It was found that bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium induce accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the colon. Moreover, the present inventors found that regulatory T cells (Treg cells) induced by from these bacteria suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells. From these findings, the present inventors found that the use of bacteria belonging to the genus Clostridium or a physiologically active substance derived therefrom made it possible to induce proliferation or accumulation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and further to suppress immune functions.