Enterococcus sp. I-4969 for Asthma Th1/Th2 Cytokine Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, are inadequate in effectively preventing and managing symptoms, and there is a need for compositions that can easily and effectively treat and prevent respiratory tract infections.
Innovation Solution
A specific strain of Enterococcus sp. (deposited as I-4969) is used, which limits inflammation and weight loss in animal models of chronic allergic asthma by increasing Th1 cytokine expression while reducing Th2 cytokine expression, and can be administered in live or inactivated form, either alone or with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments are used for respiratory diseases, then symptoms can be managed, but they are inadequate in effectively preventing and managing asthma symptoms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of treatment approach by introducing live bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis and other Lactobacillaceae family members) as therapeutic agents. This probiotic approach modifies the immune system's response to allergens, transforming the body's reaction from allergic to tolerant, thereby effectively preventing asthma symptoms rather than merely managing them.
Solution Approach 2:
The bacterial strains act as intermediaries between the immune system and allergens. These probiotics modulate immune responses by promoting regulatory T cell development and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, serving as a bridge that redirects the immune system's reaction to allergens from pathological to protective.
2Reliability
If bacterial strains are used to treat respiratory diseases, then prevention and treatment efficacy is improved, but the complexity of administering live bacteria increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs probiotic bacteria that serve multiple functions: they colonize the respiratory tract, modulate immune responses, prevent allergic sensitization, and treat existing asthma symptoms. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall treatment strategy by combining prevention and treatment in a single therapeutic agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic bacteria are self-replicating and self-sustaining once administered. They colonize the respiratory tract and maintain their therapeutic effect through continuous production of immunomodulatory substances, eliminating the need for complex dosing schedules or external support systems.
3Measurement precision
If metagenome studies are used to identify lung microbiota, then bacterial diversity can be detected, but the bacterial load is too low for usual culturing technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from relying on high bacterial load (suitable for culturing) to utilizing metagenomic sequencing that can detect low-abundance bacteria. This parameter change enables the identification and selection of rare probiotic strains from the lung microbiota that would be invisible to traditional culturing methods.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
The invention relates to a novel bacterial strain deposited with the CNCM under number 1-4969. This strain has properties that are useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The invention also relates to compositions and uses of said strain.