Gata4 Gene Therapy for Cardiac Diastolic Function Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are inadequate due to the lack of effective methods to improve cardiac diastolic function, which is characterized by fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and inflammation, and direct cardiac reprogramming techniques require multiple genes without a realized vector for simultaneous introduction.

Innovation Solution

A cardiac diastolic function-improving agent comprising a polynucleotide encoding a reprogramming factor polypeptide Gata4, which upregulates Gata4 gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts, potentially improving diastolic function by addressing underlying pathological conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct cardiac reprogramming is performed by introducing multiple reprogramming genes (Gata4, Mef2c, Tbx5) into fibroblasts, then cardiomyocyte generation is achieved, but the complexity of the treatment increases and no effective vector has been realized for simultaneous gene introduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiomyocyte generation efficiencyVSAvoidgene introduction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex multi-gene reprogramming process into individual single-gene interventions. Instead of simultaneously introducing multiple reprogramming genes (Gata4, Mef2c, Tbx5) as required by conventional direct cardiac reprogramming, the invention achieves cardiomyocyte differentiation by introducing only the Gata4 gene into cardiac fibroblasts, thereby simplifying the gene introduction system while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential reprogramming function from the complex multi-gene system and identifies Gata4 as the key transcription factor responsible for cardiomyocyte differentiation. By isolating and utilizing only Gata4, the invention eliminates the need for concurrent introduction of Mef2c, Tbx5, and other genes, thereby reducing vector complexity and facilitating clinical translation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If Gata4 gene expression is upregulated in cardiac fibroblasts to improve diastolic function, then cardiac diastolic function is improved, but the underlying pathological mechanisms of HFpEF remain incompletely understood

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac diastolic functionVSAvoidpathological mechanism understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first upregulating Gata4 expression in cardiac fibroblasts to improve cardiac diastolic function in HFpEF models, and then subsequently investigating the downstream molecular mechanisms and pathological pathways. This approach allows therapeutic benefit to be achieved first, followed by mechanistic elucidation, thereby addressing both clinical need and scientific understanding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4649948A1Cardiac dilatation function improving agent, and method for screening for cardiac dilatation function improving agent
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 KEIO UNIV
  • EP4649948A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4649948A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4649948A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The cardiac diastolic function-improving agent according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a polynucleotide encoding a reprogramming factor polypeptide Gata4.