IL-31 Antagonist Binding to Neutralize Inflammation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for skin diseases mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) positive T cells, such as atopic dermatitis and pruritis, are inadequate in addressing the underlying inflammation and itching symptoms, as they do not effectively target the cytokine IL-31, which is over-expressed in these conditions.

Innovation Solution

Administration of an antagonist molecule, specifically binding to the polypeptide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4, which can be an antibody or antibody fragment, to inhibit or reduce the activity of IL-31 in mammals with atopic dermatitis or pruritis, thereby improving or preventing the associated skin conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments are used for skin diseases mediated by CLA positive T cells, then general anti-inflammatory effects are achieved, but the specific inflammation and itching symptoms caused by IL-31 over-expression are not effectively targeted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidinflammation and itching symptoms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an IL-31 antagonist as an intermediary substance that specifically binds to and neutralizes IL-31 cytokine. This antagonist acts as a mediator between the harmful IL-31 over-expression and the therapeutic effect, preventing IL-31 from binding to its receptor and thereby specifically targeting the inflammation and itching symptoms without affecting other inflammatory pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the specific parameter of IL-31 activity by introducing an antagonist that specifically targets IL-31 cytokine. This selective parameter change allows for precise modulation of the IL-31 pathway while leaving other cytokine pathways unaffected, thereby specifically addressing the harmful effects of IL-31 over-expression in CLA positive T cell-mediated skin diseases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of IL-31 antagonists effectively reduces inflammation and itching in atopic dermatitis and pruritis by targeting the IL-31 pathway, providing a novel approach to treat these conditions by interfering with the actions of IL-31 in the skin.

Implementation Method 1

the antagonist molecule specifically binds to the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpecific binding:

Data Source

PatentUS8926957B2Methods of using IL-31 antagonists in diseases mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive T cells
Publication Date: 2015.01.06 ZYMOGENETICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to predicting therapeutic response of treating patients suffering from itching and pruritis mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive T cells in atopic dermatitis. The invention also includes methods of predicting a therapeutically responsive patient population.