Lectin Assay for Sugar-Chain Renal Prognosis Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomarkers for predicting renal prognosis in diabetic nephropathy are not effectively utilized in clinical settings and have limited usefulness in predicting future renal function decline.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a lectin assay to analyze sugar-chain profiles in diabetes patients, identifying specific sugar-chain structures and their correlations with renal prognosis, using lectins like MPA, ACA, ABA, Jacalin, SSA, SNA, GSL_I_B4, and EEL to determine levels of Galβ1-3GalNAc, Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc, α-GalNAc, Galα, and Galα1-3Gal as predictors of reduced renal function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current biomarkers (TNF-α receptors, NGAL, L-FABP, KIM-1) are used for predicting renal prognosis, then early stage prediction capability is provided, but clinical usefulness is limited and cannot be effectively utilized in everyday clinical settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidclinical applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the measurement parameter from conventional biomarkers (proteins like TNF-α receptors, NGAL, L-FABP, KIM-1) to sugar chain structures (glycans) that can be measured by lectin assays. This parameter change enables early prediction of renal prognosis while maintaining clinical applicability, as lectin assays can be performed on routine urine samples without specialized processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dialysis treatment is performed three times per week as standard treatment, then renal function maintenance is achieved, but patient burden increases and medical costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenal function maintenanceVSAvoidpatient burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables preliminary identification of patients at high risk for renal function decline through sugar chain analysis before significant kidney damage occurs. By detecting specific sugar chain patterns early, clinicians can implement preventive measures or intensify monitoring, potentially delaying or avoiding the need for frequent dialysis treatments and reducing patient burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides a reliable means to predict future renal function decline, enabling early identification of patients at risk and potentially reducing the burden of dialysis through accurate prognosis.

Implementation Method 1

determining a level of a sugar chain that binds with at least one lectin selected from a group consisting of MPA, ACA, ABA, Jacalin, SSA, and SNA

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLectin binding: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11835516B2Determination method and kit for determining possibility of reduced renal function

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 PRECISION SYST SCI

AI summary

Provided are a determination method and a kit both for determining the possibility of the occurrence of deterioration of a renal function in the future. A method according to one aspect of the present invention involves a step of determining the level of Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc in a sample collected from a subject. A kit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lectin capable of binding to Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc.