G-CSF and TLR4 Antagonist Combination for Liver Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are ineffective, and stem cell mobilizers like G-CSF can exacerbate inflammation and tissue injury.

Innovation Solution

Combining stem cell mobilizers such as G-CSF with antagonists of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to prevent inflammatory-driven tissue injury and facilitate pro-regenerative properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stem cell mobilizers such as G-CSF are used to promote tissue repair and regeneration, then pro-regenerative properties are enhanced, but inflammation and tissue injury are aggravated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue repair capacityVSAvoidinflammation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces TLR4 antagonists as intermediary substances that mediate between the harmful inflammatory effects of G-CSF and the beneficial regenerative effects. The TLR4 antagonist blocks the inflammatory signaling pathway while allowing G-CSF to continue promoting stem cell mobilization and tissue repair, thus resolving the contradiction by filtering out the harmful component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the immunological parameter state by introducing TLR4 antagonists that specifically modify the inflammatory response pathway. This parameter change allows the system to maintain the regenerative benefits of G-CSF while altering the inflammatory parameter from harmful to controlled, enabling simultaneous achievement of both goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If TLR4 antagonists are used to reduce inflammation, then inflammatory-driven tissue injury is prevented, but stem cell mobilization and regenerative properties are inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflammatory tissue injuryVSAvoidstem cell regenerative capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using TLR4 antagonists at doses and timing that specifically block inflammatory pathways without completely suppressing all immune responses. This partial intervention allows sufficient immune activity to maintain stem cell mobilization and regenerative functions while still preventing harmful inflammation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The combination therapy uses TLR4 antagonists as intermediaries that selectively modulate the inflammatory pathway while leaving other regenerative pathways intact. This intermediary approach enables the system to filter harmful inflammatory signals without blocking beneficial regenerative signals from stem cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If G-CSF is administered alone to promote liver regeneration, then stem cell mobilization occurs, but mortality increases due to aggravated inflammation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliver regenerationVSAvoidmortality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two therapeutic approaches by combining G-CSF (for stem cell mobilization) with TLR4 antagonists (for inflammation control). This combination creates a synergistic effect where both agents work together to achieve liver regeneration while preventing the harmful inflammatory response that would otherwise increase mortality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful inflammatory response into a beneficial controlled response by using TLR4 antagonists. The inflammation that would normally be detrimental is transformed into a controlled, manageable process that allows stem cell mobilization to proceed without the harmful side effects, thereby converting a harmful factor into a controllable parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4110368B1Treatment of liver failure
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 HEPYX LTD
  • EP4110368B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4110368B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP4110368B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The present invention derives from the unexpected finding that the combination of the stem cell mobilisers such as G-CSF and antagonists of TLR4 is beneficial to patients with liver failure, such as acute liver failure (ALF) or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The present invention utilises these findings to provide stem cell mobilisers such as G-CSF and antagonists of TLR4 that may be used in the treatment or prevention of liver failure, such as ALF or ACLF. Also encompassed by the invention is the provision of a stem cell and an antagonist of TLR4 for use in the treatment or prevention of liver failure, such as ALF or ACLF.