Modified Milk Exosomes for Targeted Cargo Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering cargo to mammalian cells face challenges such as degradation in harsh physiological conditions and inefficient targeting, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract and systemic circulation.
Innovation Solution
The use of milk exosomes with modified biological membranes, altered glycoproteins, and glycans to enhance stability and targeting specificity, allowing for effective delivery of endogenous and exogenous cargo to specific cells and tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exosomes are used for cargo delivery, then protection against degradation is improved, but targeting specificity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying specific regions of the exosome surface - namely the glycoproteins and glycans - while maintaining the overall exosome structure and protective encapsulation. The biological membrane is selectively modified to include specific glycoproteins and glycans that enable targeted binding to receptor cells, thus achieving both protection and targeting specificity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the natural exosome structure with modified glycoproteins and glycans on the surface. This composite approach allows the exosome to maintain its protective vesicle function while the surface modifications provide specific targeting capabilities through interactions with receptor cells.
2Manufacturing precision
If exosomes are modified with glycoproteins and glycans, then targeting specificity is improved, but complexity of modification processes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical and structural parameters of the exosome surface - specifically the glycoprotein and glycan composition - to achieve optimal targeting. By adjusting these molecular parameters, the exosomes gain enhanced specificity for receptor cells without requiring complex multi-step engineering processes.
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 modified milk exosomes provide protected and targeted delivery of cargo, increasing stability and uptake efficiency, and can alter metabolism, gut microbiome, and neurological processes, among other effects.
Implementation Method 1
The biological membrane is modified such that it has an increased number of one or more of its native glycoprotein(s)... the exosome is produced using an enzyme selected from a serine protease, cysteine protease or metalloprotease
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to materials and methods for extracellular vesicle (e.g., exosome)-mediated delivery of cargo (e.g., endogenous and/or exogenous) to non-bovine mammalian (e.g., human) cells. For example, exosomes isolated from bovine milk for delivering cargo to non-bovine mammalian (e.g., human) cells are provided.