GLIS1 and Klf4 Synergy for iPS Cell Reprogramming Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for establishing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) have not achieved satisfactory improvements in efficiency, despite various attempts with different gene combinations, including the use of TERT and SV40 large T antigen along with the four factors Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc.

Innovation Solution

The use of members from the GLIS family, such as GLIS1, and the PTX family, like PITX2, or the DMRT-like family, specifically DMRTB1, in combination with Oct3/4, Sox2, and c-Myc, to enhance the efficiency of iPS cell establishment by substituting for Klf4, demonstrating a synergistic effect with GLIS1 and Klf4.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If various gene combinations including TERT and SV40 large T antigen are used along with Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, then the attempt to improve iPS cell establishment efficiency is made, but satisfactory improvement in efficiency has not been achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveiPS cell establishment efficiencyVSAvoidgene combination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of transcription factor combination by replacing Klf4 with alternative factors (Klf5, Klf6, or Esrrb) to achieve improved iPS cell establishment efficiency. This parameter change in the gene combination resolves the contradiction by finding an optimal configuration that enhances productivity without unnecessarily increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent identifies transcription factors (Klf5, Klf6, Esrrb) that can universally substitute for Klf4 function in the reprogramming process. This multi-functionality principle allows different factors to perform the same role, improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through functional equivalence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If Klf4 is used in the standard four-factor combination, then iPS cells can be established, but the establishment efficiency remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveiPS cell establishment efficiencyVSAvoidreprogramming success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reliability parameter by substituting Klf4 with alternative transcription factors (Klf5, Klf6, Esrrb) that demonstrate improved reprogramming success rates. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving both higher efficiency and reliability through optimized factor selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2536828B1Method of efficiently establishing induced pluripotent stem cells
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 JAPAN BIOLOGICAL INFORMATICS CONSORTIUM
  • EP2536828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2536828B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2536828B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method of improving the efficiency of establishment of iPS cells, comprising the step of contacting one or more substances selected from the group consisting of members of the GLIS family (e.g., GLIS1) and nucleic acids that encode the same and one or more substances selected from the group consisting of members of the Klf family and nucleic acids that encode the same, with a somatic cell, an iPS cell comprising an exogenous nucleic acid that encodes a member of the GLIS family or a member of the Klf family, that can be obtained by the method, and a method of producing a somatic cell by inducing the differentiation of the iPS cell.