Crnn Knockout Mice for Psoriasis Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current animal models for studying skin inflammation disorders like psoriasis do not adequately replicate the human condition, limiting understanding and treatment development.

Innovation Solution

Genetically modified rodents with a loss of function mutation in the Crnn gene, specifically Crnn knock-out mice, are developed to serve as a more susceptible model for skin inflammation, incorporating a reporter gene for enhanced monitoring and induced psoriasis-like conditions using imiquimod treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current animal models are used for studying skin inflammation disorders, then the research can proceed with existing models, but the models do not adequately replicate the human condition, limiting understanding and treatment development

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplication of human skin inflammation conditionVSAvoidapplicability for treatment development
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the genetic parameters of the rodent model by introducing a loss-of-function mutation in the Crnn gene, which encodes cornulin, a protein involved in epidermal differentiation. This genetic parameter change results in a rodent model that more accurately replicates human psoriasis pathology, including epidermal hyperplasia, parakeratosis, and inflammatory infiltrates, thereby improving the reliability of the model for studying skin inflammation disorders

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a loss of function mutation is introduced in the Crnn gene to create a more susceptible model, then the susceptibility to skin inflammation increases, but the genetic modification complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesusceptibility to skin inflammationVSAvoidgenetic modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by specifically targeting and disrupting the Crnn gene through a loss-of-function mutation. This involves removing or inactivating the specific gene responsible for cornulin production, thereby creating the desired susceptibility to skin inflammation while maintaining the rest of the genome intact. This focused genetic modification approach reduces overall complexity compared to more comprehensive genomic alterations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If reporter gene is incorporated for enhanced monitoring, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring capability of skin inflammationVSAvoidgenetic construct complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reporter gene (such as LacZ, GFP, or luciferase) with the Crnn gene locus to create a fusion construct. This merging allows the reporter gene to be expressed under the control of the Crnn promoter and enhancer elements, enabling monitoring of Crnn expression patterns and skin inflammation responses. The combined construct achieves enhanced monitoring capability while leveraging the natural regulatory elements of the Crnn gene to minimize the need for additional complex regulatory components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4037481B1A CRNN loss of function rodent model
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS INC
  • EP4037481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037481B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4037481B1 patent drawingFigure 2E~2G

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a genetically modified rodent and use thereof as a rodent model. More specifically, this disclosure relates to rodent (e.g., mouse or rat) comprising a loss of function mutation in an endogenous Crnn (cornulin) gene, and to use of such a rodent animal as a rodent model of skin inflammation disorders (e.g., psoriasis).