IL-11 Antagonists for Th2-Mediated Airway Inflammation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for Th2-mediated disorders such as asthma are inadequate, with IL-11's role in airway inflammation remaining unclear, and existing therapies for asthma are not definitively effective.

Innovation Solution

The use of antagonists of IL-11 or IL-11Rα, including IL-11 muteins, anti-IL-11 antibodies, and soluble IL-11Rα, to inhibit IL-11 signaling and reduce inflammation in Th2-mediated disorders like asthma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current treatments for Th2-mediated disorders are used, then existing therapies are applied to patients, but they are not definitively effective and IL-11's role remains unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidunderstanding of IL-11 role

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses antagonists of IL-11 or IL-11Rα as intermediary substances to block IL-11 signaling pathways. These antagonists serve as mediators that interfere with the interaction between IL-11 and its receptor, thereby reducing inflammation in Th2-mediated disorders without requiring complete understanding of IL-11's physiological role

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting to enhance or activate IL-11 signaling, the patent inverts the approach by using antagonists to block or inhibit IL-11 activity. This inverse strategy addresses the therapeutic need by preventing harmful inflammatory effects rather than promoting beneficial ones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If IL-11 activity is inhibited using antagonists, then eosinophil and macrophage infiltration is reduced, but this requires development of new therapeutic agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinflammatory cell infiltrationVSAvoidtherapeutic agent development

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or isolates the specific target (IL-11 or IL-11Rα) from the complex inflammatory pathway and develops antagonists that specifically bind to this target. This extraction approach allows for targeted inhibition of harmful inflammatory effects while avoiding the need to modulate multiple different pathways simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the biochemical parameter of IL-11 signaling by introducing antagonists that alter the binding affinity or activation state of the IL-11/IL-11Rα interaction. This parameter change (from active signaling to inhibited signaling) directly reduces inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus metaplasia

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If Th2 cytokine activity is blocked to reduce inflammation, then airway inflammation is reduced, but this may affect other immune functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway inflammationVSAvoidimmune system function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by targeting specifically the IL-11/IL-11Rα pathway rather than broadly suppressing all Th2 cytokine activity. This localized approach allows inhibition of harmful inflammatory effects while preserving other important immune functions mediated by different cytokines or pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8182814B2Methods of treating inflammatory airway conditions by inhibition of IL-11 activity

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 CSL LIMITED

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of T-helper type 2 (Th2)-mediated disorders using antagonists of IL-11.