Lactobacillus kunkeei Strain for Targeted IgA Induction

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for lactic acid bacteria with high IgA production inducing activity that are immunologically safe, avoiding non-specific cell-mediated immune responses.

Innovation Solution

Lactic acid bacteria belonging to Lactobacillus kunkeei, isolated from bee pollen, exhibit higher IgA production inducing activity than Lactobacillus strain GG and lower mitogenic and IL-2 production inducing activity than Listeria strain EGD, making them suitable for use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lactic acid bacteria with high IgA production inducing activity are used, then immunostimulation effect is improved, but risk of inducing non-specific cell-mediated immune responses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmunostimulation effectVSAvoidnon-specific cell-mediated immune responses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies specific strains of Lactobacillus kunkeei with unique physiological parameters that differentiate them from other lactic acid bacteria. These strains exhibit high IgA production inducing activity while maintaining low mitogenic activity and low IL-2 production inducing activity, effectively changing the immunological parameter profile to achieve the desired effect without harmful side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses heat-killed cells of Lactobacillus kunkeei strains instead of live bacteria. This approach eliminates the risk of live bacterial proliferation and potential pathogenicity while preserving the immunostimulatory properties of the bacterial cell components, effectively using a 'disposable' form of the bacteria that cannot cause harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If probiotics are used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, then intestinal inflammation is improved, but immunological safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintestinal inflammation treatmentVSAvoidimmunological safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes specific immunological parameter thresholds for Lactobacillus kunkeei strains: high IgA production inducing activity combined with low mitogenic activity and low IL-2 production inducing activity. These parameter changes ensure the bacteria provide therapeutic benefit for inflammatory bowel diseases while maintaining immunological safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of immune activation into a benefit by carefully selecting strains that activate specific immune pathways (IgA production) while avoiding others (mitogenic responses, IL-2 production). This selective immune modulation transforms what could be harmful non-specific activation into beneficial targeted immune support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10570366B2Lactic acid bacterium having IgA production promoting activity, and use thereof

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 YAMADA BEE COMPANY INC

AI summary

Disclosed are: a lactic acid bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus kunkeei, the bacterium having a higher IgA production inducing activity than that of Lactobacillus strain GG (ATCC53103), and a lower mitogenic activity and a lower IL-2 production inducing activity than those of Listeria strain EGD; and a food composition, a pharmaceutical composition, a cosmetic composition, an immunostimulant for preventing the infection by pathogens or viruses that invade through the respiratory or esophageal mucosa, and an intestinal immunostimulant for preventing or alleviating food poisoning, each of which contains the lactic acid bacterium or treated cells of the lactic acid bacterium.