IL-34 Mimetic Screening via BMP Binding for Bone Remodeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for excessive osteolysis and osteoporosis, such as calcitonin, monoclonal antibodies, and bisphosphonates, have significant side effects and limited efficacy, while BMP-2 treatments are expensive and require supraphysiological concentrations, posing risks of inflammation and abnormal bone formation.

Innovation Solution

A method to screen for molecules that mimic IL-34's bone regulation activity by binding to BMPs, inhibiting osteoclast formation, and promoting osteoblast differentiation, using a screening process that involves reacting candidate molecules with BMPs, detecting binding, and selecting those that induce osteoblast activities without activating osteoclast functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BMP-2 is used to treat bone defects, then bone regeneration is promoted, but the treatment is expensive and requires supraphysiological concentrations causing side effects like inflammation and abnormal bone formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone regeneration efficacyVSAvoidinflammation and abnormal bone formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses IL-34 as an intermediary molecule that binds to BMP-2 and modulates its activity. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve bone regeneration effects while reducing the harmful supraphysiological concentrations of BMP-2, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficacy and harmful effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of BMP-2 from supraphysiological to physiological levels by using IL-34 as a modulator. This parameter change maintains bone regeneration efficacy while eliminating the harmful side effects associated with high concentrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If calcitonin is used to inhibit osteoclast formation, then osteolysis is reduced, but chronic exposure leads to loss of inhibitory effects through down regulation of calcitonin receptor expression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveosteoclast inhibition efficacyVSAvoidduration of osteoclast inhibition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs IL-34 as an intermediary that provides sustained inhibition of osteoclast formation without the down-regulation problem of calcitonin. IL-34 binds to BMP-2 and maintains inhibitory effects on osteoclasts over time, resolving the contradiction between initial efficacy and duration of action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used to block osteolysis, then osteoclast activity is inhibited, but the treatment can induce immune responses in patients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveosteoclast activity inhibitionVSAvoidimmune response
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses IL-34 as a natural intermediary molecule that inhibits osteoclast activity without triggering immune responses. By using a physiological cytokine rather than monoclonal antibodies, the system achieves osteoclast inhibition while avoiding the harmful immune response side effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If bisphosphonates are used to inhibit osteoclast activity, then excessive osteolysis is reduced, but the treatment causes gastrointestinal discomfort and poor absorption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveosteoclast activity inhibitionVSAvoidgastrointestinal absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs IL-34 as an intermediary that inhibits osteoclast activity through a different mechanism that does not require gastrointestinal absorption. This resolves the contradiction between osteoclast inhibition efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method identifies molecules that effectively regulate bone remodeling by enhancing osteoblast differentiation and reducing osteoclast activity, offering a safer and more effective alternative to existing treatments.

Implementation Method 1

A method of screening for a molecule having bone regulation activity based on the binding of interleukin-34 to bone morphogenetic proteins

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBinding:

Data Source

PatentEP4653869A1Molecules mimicking interleukin 34 bone regulation activity based on the binding of il-34 to bone morphogenetic proteins, method of screening and pharmaceutical composition
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 NANTES UNIVERSITÉ (33 33)
  • EP4653869A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653869A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4653869A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of screening for a molecule mimicking interleukin 34 (IL-34) bone regulation activity based on the binding of IL-34 to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which comprises the steps of: 1) reacting a candidate molecule and BMPs under suitable conditions, 2) detecting the binding of the candidate molecule to BMPs and optionally a bone regulation activity, 3) comparing the binding and optionally the bone regulation activity detected in step 2) to a control, and 4) selecting a molecule capable of binding to BMPs and inducing osteoblast differentiation and activities without activating osteoclast functions. The present invention also relates to a molecule mimicking IL-34 bone regulation activity based on the binding of IL-34 to BMPs, obtained by the method, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the molecule and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.