Fibronectin Fragment-Modified EVs for Cell Uptake and Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for drug delivery using extracellular vesicles (EVs) require large amounts of EVs, which are time-consuming and costly to produce, and there is a need for more efficient cell targeting and uptake mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Overexpressing a fibronectin fragment protein, including a RGD domain and a Hep II domain, on the membrane surface of EVs, optionally fused with a Lamp2b protein, to enhance cell adhesion and uptake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large amounts of EVs are used for treatment, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but time, effort, and cost increase tremendously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidtime and effort for production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface properties of EVs by overexpressing fibronectin fragment protein with specific domains (RGD and Hep II) to alter cell adhesion parameters. This modification enables EVs to be taken up more efficiently by target cells, thereby reducing the quantity needed while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by specifically modifying the surface of EVs with fibronectin fragment protein at the membrane level. This localized modification at the EV surface creates high adhesion capability only where needed for cell interaction, without altering the entire EV structure or requiring large quantities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If large amounts of EVs are used for treatment, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but cost increases tremendously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidamount of EVs required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface composition of EVs by overexpressing fibronectin fragment protein containing RGD and Hep II domains. This parameter change in surface protein composition enhances cell adhesion and uptake efficiency, allowing therapeutic effects to be achieved with smaller quantities of EVs, thereby reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure on the EV surface by fusing fibronectin fragment protein with Lamp2b protein. This composite material approach combines the cell adhesion properties of fibronectin domains with the membrane anchor function of Lamp2b, creating highly efficient EVs that require smaller quantities for effective treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If fibronectin fragment protein is overexpressed on EV membrane, then cell adhesion and uptake are enhanced, but protein engineering complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell uptake efficiencyVSAvoidprotein engineering process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fibronectin protein into functional domains (RGD domain and Hep II domain) and fuses them with Lamp2b protein. This segmentation allows for modular construction of the fusion protein, simplifying the engineering process while maintaining the adhesion-enhancing functions of each domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses Lamp2b protein as an intermediary or mediator that anchors the fibronectin fragment to the EV membrane. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall engineering by using a well-characterized membrane protein as a platform, reducing the complexity of directly modifying EV membranes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances the therapeutic effect of EVs by improving their adhesion to cells, allowing effective drug delivery with a small amount, reducing time and resources required.

Implementation Method 1

a fibronectin fragment protein including a fibronectin RGD domain and a fibronectin Hep II domain is overexpressed on a membrane surface of the extracellular vesicle... the two domains organically increase cell adhesiveness... EVs are able to better adhere to cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCell adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4610361A1Extracellular vesicles overexpressing fibronectin fragment protein, and use for drug delivery thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 DONGGUK UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
  • EP4610361A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4610361A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP4610361A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to extracellular vesicles (EVs) overexpressing fibronectin fragment protein, and a use for drug delivery thereof. The present invention relates to a method for increasing EV delivery efficiency into cells by overexpressing a RGD domain and a Hep II domain of fibronectin on an EV membrane surface, and through the method, it was confirmed that EVs overexpressing fibronectin domains had increased EV delivery efficiency into cells compared to a control group. It was confirmed that an overexpression process through gene transduction could only improve cell transfer efficiency without affecting the size of EVs or the expression of marker genes (CD9, HSP70). The method reduces the time and effort required for EV research through effective delivery of EVs to cells, and can be used to study mechanisms between cells and as a drug delivery medium for diseases and disorders.