Cytokine Receptor Pairing With sdAbs for Selective Cell Signaling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The limited number of cytokine receptor pairings in nature restricts the scope of signaling-competent receptor pairs, leading to undesired effects when natural cytokines are used as therapeutics, and there is a need for targeted activation of specific cell types to treat diseases like cancer and infectious diseases.

Innovation Solution

Development of single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that specifically bind to cytokine receptors, such as IL12Rβ1 and IL12Rβ2, IL27Rα, IL10Rα, IL10Rβ, IL10Rβ and IL28Rα, and IFNλR, to multimerize these receptors and trigger intracellular signaling, activating desired cell types like CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and macrophages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If natural cytokines are used to activate cytokine receptors, then signaling is triggered, but the scope of receptor pairings is limited and undesired effects occur in non-target cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescope of receptor pairingsVSAvoidundesired effects in non-target cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cytokine molecule into separate binding domains, each specific to a particular receptor subtype. This allows independent targeting of different receptor pairs (e.g., IL-12Rβ1/β2 versus IL-23R/β2) using distinct binding domains within the same or separate molecules, thereby expanding the scope of receptor pairings while maintaining selectivity and reducing off-target effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The binding domains are engineered with localized specificity for different receptor subtypes. Each binding domain possesses unique structural characteristics that confer selective affinity for its target receptor, enabling spatially distinct binding events at different receptor locations on the cell surface, thus achieving targeted activation without cross-reactivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If natural cytokines are used therapeutically, then disease treatment is achieved, but adverse effects occur due to lack of cell-type specificity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic benefitVSAvoidadverse effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the cytokine into separate binding domains with distinct receptor specificities, the invention enables selective delivery of therapeutic effects to specific cell types expressing particular receptor combinations. This segmentation allows the therapeutic agent to act only on intended targets (e.g., pathogenic T cells) while sparing other cell types, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engineered binding domains serve as intermediaries between the therapeutic goal and the target cells. These domains mediate selective binding to specific receptor pairs on desired cell types, acting as a bridge that directs therapeutic activity precisely where needed while preventing unwanted interactions with non-target cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a ligand binds to multiple receptor subtypes, then broader signaling coverage is achieved, but selectivity for specific cell types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling coverageVSAvoidcell type selectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the conflict between breadth and precision by segmenting the ligand into multiple specialized binding domains. Each domain is tuned to recognize a specific receptor subtype with high precision, yet the combination of domains within a single molecule or therapeutic regimen achieves comprehensive signaling coverage across multiple cell types through coordinated action of the segmented components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 sdAbs enable selective activation of target cells, minimizing undesired signaling in non-target cells, providing therapeutic benefits in treating neoplastic diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases with reduced adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that specifically bind to cytokine receptors, such as IL12Rβ1 and IL12Rβ2, IL27Rα, IL10Rα, IL10Rβ, IL10Rβ and IL28Rα, and IFNλR

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Implementation Method 2

multimerize these receptors and trigger intracellular signaling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReceptor multimerization:

Data Source

PatentUS20250340656A1Compositions and methods related to receptor pairings
Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SYNTHEKINE INC

AI summary

Provided herein are receptor binding proteins that bind to either natural cytokine receptor pairs or non-natural cytokine receptor pairs to create signaling diversity beyond natural receptor pairings.