Gene Transfer Composition Using Cationic Lipids and Proteins

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current gene transfer methods face challenges in achieving convenience, safety, and high transfer efficiency, particularly for a wide variety of cells, with existing non-viral vector methods being complex and having inferior gene expression efficiency compared to viral vectors.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising specific lipids, proteins, positively charged substances, and extracellular matrix components, which can be mixed simply to introduce genes into cells, improving safety and efficiency while being cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If viral vectors are used for gene transfer, then transfer efficiency is improved, but safety problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsafety problems
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-viral liposome carriers instead of viral vectors, sacrificing some transfer efficiency to achieve safety. The liposomes are simple, non-living structures that cannot replicate or cause viral infections, providing a safe alternative that can be easily synthesized and disposed of after use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite liposome structures containing multiple components (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) to achieve both safety and improved transfer efficiency. The combination of cationic lipids with specific proteins creates a composite carrier that enhances gene delivery while maintaining biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-viral vector methods are used, then safety is improved, but gene expression efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidgene expression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies key parameters of non-viral carriers by using specific cationic lipids with optimized charge density and hydrophobicity. This parameter optimization enables the liposomes to interact more effectively with cell membranes and nucleic acids, significantly improving gene expression efficiency while maintaining the safety advantages of non-viral systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific functional regions on the liposome surface through protein attachment, creating local areas with enhanced interaction capabilities. The cationic lipid regions provide localized positive charge for nucleic acid binding, while protein regions provide localized cell recognition and uptake enhancement, improving overall efficiency without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If liposomes are prepared using conventional methods, then gene transfer capability is achieved, but preparation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene transfer capabilityVSAvoidpreparation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple preparation steps into a single streamlined process. By using pre-formed liposome structures and simple mixing protocols, the method merges nucleic acid encapsulation, carrier formation, and quality control into an integrated procedure that reduces complexity while maintaining transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares liposome components in advance with predetermined properties (charge, size, composition) so that the final gene transfer complex can be assembled through simple mixing. This preliminary preparation of standardized carriers eliminates the need for complex real-time optimization during the gene transfer procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If gene transfer vectors are immobilized, then transfer efficiency is improved, but preparation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses liposomes with intrinsic self-assembly properties that automatically organize nucleic acids into transfer-competent complexes upon mixing. The cationic lipids spontaneously bind to nucleic acids through electrostatic attraction, and the system self-organizes into transfer-efficient structures without requiring external immobilization or complex preparation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The composition achieves excellent safety and gene transfer efficiency, simplifying the process and reducing costs compared to existing methods, with improved gene expression in both adherent and suspension cells.

Implementation Method 1

The composition comprises: (A) at least one lipid; (B) at least one protein; and (C) at least one positively charged substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Coulomb's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3020809B1Composition for transferring gene to cell
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA LTD
  • EP3020809B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3020809B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3020809B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a composition for gene transfer, a method for introducing a gene into cell of a non-human animal, a method for introducing a gene into an in vitro cell, and a kit for gene transfer. The composition comprises (A) at least one lipid selected from the group consisting of sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan monooleate, L-α-phosphatidylinositol, L-α-dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, octadecylamine, hexadecylamine, DOTAP, and cardiolipin; (B) at least one protein selected from the group consisting of albumin, casein, gelatin, and sericin; and (C) at least one positively charged substance selected from the group consisting of protamine sulfate, polyarginine, polylysine, polyethyleneimine, and hexadimethrine bromide.