MPC Hydrophilic Coating Prevents Exosome Adsorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recovering exosomes, such as ultracentrifugation, face challenges with non-specific adsorption to container surfaces, leading to unstable recovery rates and inefficient analysis due to the lack of effective prevention methods for extracellular vesicle adsorption.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophilic copolymer coating agent comprising 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (MPC) and a hydrophobic monomer in a specific composition ratio, applied to containers and analytical tools, forms a coated layer that prevents exosome adsorption, improving recovery rates and analysis accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If ultracentrifugation is used to recover exosomes, then exosomes can be recovered as pellets, but exosomes non-specifically adsorb to the plastic surface of the recovery container, leading to decreased recovery rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexosome recovery rateVSAvoidnon-specific adsorption to container surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coating agent as an intermediary substance applied to the container surface. This coating layer acts as a mediator between the exosomes and the plastic surface, preventing direct non-specific adsorption while allowing the exosomes to be recovered through ultracentrifugation. The coating agent specifically blocks the harmful interaction without interfering with the desired separation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a coating agent to the container surface before adding the exosome sample. This preliminary action prevents the harmful non-specific adsorption from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to reverse it after the fact. The coating creates a protective barrier that repels exosomes from adhering to the plastic surface during the ultracentrifugation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Measurement precision

If conventional purification methods are used, then exosomes can be isolated, but the adsorption to container surfaces influences analysis efficiency and results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidadsorption to analytical instrument surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating agent serves as an intermediary layer between the exosomes and the analytical instrument surfaces. By applying this coating to containers and analytical tools, the patent prevents direct contact between the exosomes and plastic surfaces that would cause non-specific adsorption, thereby improving measurement precision without compromising the isolation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent emphasizes coating analytical instruments and containers before use to prevent adsorption issues. This preliminary coating action ensures that when exosomes are later introduced for analysis, they will not non-specifically adsorb to surfaces, thus maintaining analysis accuracy and efficiency throughout the measurement process.

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 coating agent significantly enhances exosome recovery rates and analytical precision by reducing non-specific adsorption, allowing for stable and accurate measurement of exosomes.

Implementation Method 1

the coating agent comprises: a hydrophilic copolymer of 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (MPC) and a hydrophobic monomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic coating: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 2

by coating the container used for purification... with a coating agent, thereby preventing adsorption of the extracellular vesicles to the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption prevention: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

methods for isolating them by centrifugal separation or columns are disclosed... centrifugal separation method using ultracentrifugation is an established recovery technique

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltracentrifugation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 4

after removing cell debris from the culture medium containing the exosomes by low-speed centrifugation, the exosomes can be recovered as pellets by ultracentrifugation for about 2 h

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3467059B1Method of recovering extracellular vesicles and container for extracellular vesicles
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 NOF CORP
  • EP3467059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3467059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3467059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A coating agent for preventing the adsorption of extracellular vesicles represented by exosomes to a tool has been developed. Adsorption of extracellular vesicles to a tool can be prevented by using a coating agent which contains a hydrophilic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, wherein a coated layer formed by the coating agent has a contact angle of 0 degree or more and 30 degrees or less.