NADPH Oxidase Inhibitors Stabilize Type XVII Collagen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for hair loss and graying are inadequate, as they do not effectively address the underlying mechanisms of hair follicle miniaturization and DNA damage accumulation in aged hair follicle stem cells.

Innovation Solution

The development of compositions that stabilize type XVII collagen expression, specifically by suppressing its degradation using inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, to promote hair growth and prevent graying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hair loss treatments (minoxidil, finasteride) are used, then hair growth is promoted through vasodilation and DHT inhibition, but they do not effectively address the underlying mechanism of type XVII collagen degradation and DNA damage accumulation in aged hair follicle stem cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of hair loss treatmentVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and targets the specific pathological mechanism of type XVII collagen degradation by neutrophil elastase in aged hair follicle stem cells, separating this key pathological factor from the complex web of aging-related changes. By focusing on this specific extracted target rather than treating all aging effects simultaneously, the invention achieves more effective and mechanism-specific treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary protective action by stabilizing type XVII collagen expression before significant hair follicle miniaturization occurs. The composition prevents the degradation process rather than merely responding to established damage, maintaining the stem cell signature and preventing the cascade of adverse effects that follow collagen loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If hair follicle stem cells undergo aging with DNA damage accumulation, then intrinsic genome instability increases, but type XVII collagen degradation accelerates hair follicle miniaturization and hair loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestem cell signature stabilityVSAvoidtype XVII collagen degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective mechanism that stabilizes type XVII collagen expression despite the presence of neutrophil elastase and DNA damage. This intermediary action prevents the direct harmful effect of elastase-mediated collagen degradation, allowing the stem cell signature to be maintained even in aged cells with accumulated DNA damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The composition applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the degradative effect of neutrophil elastase on type XVII collagen before it can cause significant hair follicle miniaturization. This preemptive stabilization prevents the harmful cascade that would otherwise lead to stem cell exhaustion and hair loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If neutrophil elastase activity increases in aged hair follicles, then type XVII collagen is degraded, but current treatments do not specifically inhibit this enzymatic degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehair loss suppression efficacyVSAvoidtreatment composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from general vasodilation or DHT inhibition to specific enzymatic inhibition of neutrophil elastase. By targeting the specific biochemical parameter of elastase-mediated collagen degradation, the invention achieves more reliable hair loss suppression through mechanism-specific intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the specific pathological enzyme (neutrophil elastase) from the complex aging process and targets it specifically. This extraction of the key harmful factor allows for focused therapeutic intervention that is more effective than broad-spectrum approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

These compositions effectively suppress hair loss and graying by maintaining the stem cell signature of hair follicle stem cells, thereby delaying hair follicle miniaturization and promoting hair growth.

Implementation Method 1

NADPH oxidase is an enzyme that generates reactive oxygen species

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReactive oxygen species generation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

type XVII collagen degradation by X-ray radiation which is known to induce DNA damage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProteolytic degradation: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4205750B1Nadph oxidase inhibitor for suppressing or improving hair loss or treating alopecia
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 EADERM CO LTD
  • EP4205750B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4205750B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F
  • EP4205750B1 patent drawingFigure 1G~1H

AI summary

The present invention provides novel compositions for suppressing or improving hair loss, and compositions for suppressing or improving graying. More specifically, it provides agents that stabilize type XVII collagen expression, preferably agents that suppress the degradation of type XVII collagen by ELANE inhibitors and such, and compositions comprising a DNA repair-promoting agent or a DNA damage-suppressing agent as an active ingredient. Advantageous suppressive effects of hair loss and graying can be obtained when a composition comprising as an active ingredient a suppressive agent of type XVII collagen degradation such as an ELANE inhibitor is administered to a mammal. For the ELANE inhibitors, suppressive agents of type XVII collagen degradation and DNA repair-promoting agents, low-molecular compounds, polypeptides, proteins, antibodies, or nucleic acid medicine such as antisense oligos or siRNAs may be used. A method of screening for effective substances for suppression of hair loss and graying is also provided.