Kidney Cell Aggregate Cultivation for Function Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cultivation technologies for kidney cells, such as renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, lead to deteriorated physiological functions, making them unsuitable for bio-artificial kidneys or drug evaluation modules, as they lose their ability to maintain renal functions and reabsorb components from blood plasma with reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A cell cultivation method involving non-adherent cultivation of kidney cells for 5 days or longer to form aggregates, followed by cultivation in a state of formed aggregates, using a substrate with a coating agent containing laminin molecules, basement membrane matrix mixture, or collagen molecules to restore and maintain physiological functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If kidney cells are cultivated using conventional adhesion-based methods, then cell proliferation and quantity are improved, but physiological functions and renal capabilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell quantityVSAvoidphysiological function

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional cultivation approach by using non-adherent conditions instead of adhesion-based methods. Kidney cells are cultivated in suspension without attachment to culture vessel surfaces, which prevents the deterioration of physiological functions while still achieving sufficient cell proliferation for bio-artificial kidney applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the cultivation parameter from adherent to non-adherent state, and maintains cells in aggregate form rather than dispersed single cells. This parameter change preserves physiological functions while allowing cell quantity to increase over the cultivation period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If kidney cells are cultivated for extended periods to obtain sufficient cell numbers, then cell quantity is improved, but physiological functions deteriorate due to cultivation effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell quantityVSAvoidphysiological function

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by cultivating cells in non-adherent suspension rather than adherent monolayers. This inversion allows extended cultivation periods to proceed without the typical deterioration of physiological functions that occurs in conventional adhesion-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes non-adherent cultivation conditions from the beginning of cell culture, preventing physiological deterioration before it occurs. By maintaining cells in aggregate form in suspension from the start, the method preserves functional capabilities throughout the entire extended cultivation period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If kidney cells are used for bio-artificial kidneys or drug evaluation modules, then functional applications are enabled, but cell viability is reduced due to medicine toxicity and cultivation stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication capabilityVSAvoidcell viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses non-adherent cultivation to protect cells from toxicity and stress. By maintaining cells in suspension aggregates rather than adherent monolayers, the method reduces susceptibility to medicine toxicity and cultivation stress, preserving cell viability for functional applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-adherent aggregate cultivation method provides a protective environment that cushions cells against toxic effects and stress before they are exposed to medicinal compounds. This preliminary protection maintains higher cell viability when cells are subsequently used for drug evaluation or bio-artificial kidney applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20240263145A1Cell cultivation method, cell support composite production method, cultivated cells, and cell support composite

Publication Date: 2024.08.08 NIKKISO CO LTD

AI summary

Cultivated cells that are produced by a cultivation method including cultivating primary cultured kidney cells which are dedifferentiated in a state of being non-adherent to a culture vessel for a period of 5 days or longer, forming aggregates of the kidney cells during the cultivation period, then cultivating the kidney cells in a state of having formed aggregates, during a portion of the period, and thereby restoring physiological functions of the kidney cells. The primary cultured kidney cells include primary cultured renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and a percentage of the primary cultured renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in the primary cultured kidney cells being 83% or more.