Hematopoietic and Epidermal Stem Cell Expansion With Jack Bean Lectin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are limited in increasing the abundance of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow and epidermal stem cells in skin, with no effective formulations available for enhancing their numbers in vivo.

Innovation Solution

The use of Jack bean lectin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, administered in specific doses, to increase the abundance of hematopoietic and epidermal stem cells through an injectable formulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods (GCSF, cytokines, transcription factors) are used to increase stem cell abundance, then stem cell numbers may be increased in vitro or circulation, but no effective formulations are available for increasing intrinsic hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow and epidermal stem cells in skin in vivo

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabundance of hematopoietic stem cells and epidermal stem cellsVSAvoidavailability of formulations for in vivo administration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses Jack bean lectin as an intermediary substance that mediates the interaction between administered agents and stem cells. The lectin binds to specific carbohydrate moieties on stem cell surfaces, serving as a mediator that triggers proliferation and differentiation signals, thereby enabling in vivo increase of stem cell abundance without requiring complex cell-based therapy formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical cell-based therapy systems with a biochemical approach using small molecule lectins. Instead of administering live cells or complex growth factor cocktails, the invention uses Jack bean lectin that naturally binds to stem cell surface carbohydrates and triggers endogenous proliferation, simplifying the formulation and administration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If stem cell-based therapy is used to restore tissue function, then normal tissue functions can be restored, but the complexity and cost of cell-based therapy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration of normal tissue functionsVSAvoidcomplexity of cell-based therapy formulations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the body's own stem cells to serve themselves by activating endogenous repair mechanisms. Jack bean lectin administration triggers the body's intrinsic stem cells to proliferate and differentiate autonomously, eliminating the need for external cell-based therapy interventions and reducing formulation complexity while maintaining reliable tissue restoration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and utilizes the natural proliferative response of stem cells to lectin binding. By isolating this specific biological response mechanism and applying it through Jack bean lectin administration, the invention separates the essential therapeutic effect from the complex cell-based therapy delivery systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Significantly increases the number of hematopoietic and epidermal stem cells by at least 10-80% compared to pre-administration levels, effectively treating conditions related to stem cell depletion.

Implementation Method 1

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins, and their interaction with any cell is dependent on the particular types of carbohydrate moieties present on the cell surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLectin-carbohydrate binding: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3701967B1Use of jack bean lectin for increasing the abundance of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells in bone marrow and/or epidermal stem cells in skin in vivo
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SEC DEPT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
  • EP3701967B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3701967B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3701967B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Use of Jack Bean lectin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for increasing the abundance of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells in bone marrow and/or epidermal stem cells in skin in vivo and a method of treatment involving the said lectin at a specific dose to treat conditions due to depletion of stem cells. Method of treating said conditions in a subject by administering a single injection of lectin dose 0.5-2.0 mg / kg body weight to mouse increasing the abundance of skin stem cells to 8.097 ± 0.938 % to 9.993 ± 0.542 % in mice treated with lectin dose of 0.5 mg /kg body weight and 2 mg/kg body weight respectively from 2.815 ± 0.100 % (mean ± SEM) in control untreated mice; and a dose range 8.0-10 mg / kg body weight to mouse for increasing the abundance of hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow in control untreated mice with 0.293 ± 0.043 % (mean ± SEM) to 1.956 ± 0.592 % and 0.692 ± 0.193 % in mice treated with lectin dose of 8.0 mg /kg body weight and 10 mg/kg body weight respectively.