Galectin Lectins Target Blood Group Antigens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are inadequate in effectively utilizing innate immune lectins to target and kill pathogens expressing blood group antigens, particularly in bacterial infections where adaptive immunity is limited.

Innovation Solution

The use of purified or isolated galectins such as Gal-4, Gal-8, and Gal-9, which possess C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domains, to recognize and kill bacteria expressing human blood group antigens by disrupting membrane integrity, potentially in combination with other antibiotics or antiviral agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adaptive immunity is used to target bacteria expressing blood group antigens, then specific immune response is generated, but immunity is limited when pathogens express self-like antigens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response effectivenessVSAvoidimmunity against blood group antigen-expressing pathogens

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs lectins as intermediary molecules that bridge the gap between the host immune system and pathogens expressing self-like blood group antigens. These lectins specifically recognize and bind to carbohydrate structures on pathogen surfaces, enabling targeted immune response against pathogens that would otherwise evade adaptive immunity by expressing self-like antigens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the adaptive immune system's antibody-antigen recognition mechanism with a lectin-based carbohydrate recognition system. This substitution allows for direct recognition of pathogen surface carbohydrates without requiring adaptive immune education, providing immediate and effective response against blood group antigen-expressing pathogens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If purified lectins are used to kill pathogens, then specific killing activity against blood group antigen-expressing bacteria is achieved, but the mechanism requires disruption of membrane integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen killing activityVSAvoidmembrane disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the specific carbohydrate recognition capability of lectins to target pathogens. By isolating and applying purified lectins, the invention leverages their natural ability to specifically bind to blood group antigens on pathogen surfaces, enabling selective pathogen killing while minimizing harm to host cells that do not express these antigens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

These galectins demonstrate specific killing activity against bacteria expressing blood group antigens, providing a mechanism for innate immunity and potentially enhancing treatment outcomes for infections by targeting pathogens that evade adaptive immune responses.

Implementation Method 1

the lectin is a galectin such as Gal-4, Gal-8, Gal-7, Gal-9 or active fragments thereof provided the galectin comprises a C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbohydrate recognition:

Implementation Method 2

to recognize and kill bacteria expressing human blood group antigens by disrupting membrane integrity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMembrane disruption:

Data Source

PatentUS9572864B2Compositions and uses of lectins

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 EMORY UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The disclosure relates to uses of a purified or isolated lectin to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to method of treating or preventing an infection comprising administering a purified or isolated galectin to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the subject is at risk of, exhibiting symptoms of, or diagnosed with a pathogenic infection.