Nerve-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells for Tissue Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sources of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), face issues like ethical concerns, immune rejection, and the risk of tumor formation, limiting their therapeutic potential.

Innovation Solution

Nerve-derived adult pluripotent stem cells (NEDAPS cells) are derived from peripheral nerves without genetic manipulation, expressing key transcription factors like Oct4, Sox2, and c-Myc, allowing for safe harvesting and differentiation into various cell types without immune rejection or teratoma formation risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are used for therapy, then stem cell potential for tissue repair is achieved, but ethical issues and immune rejection risk occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem cell potentialVSAvoidethical issues and immune rejection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates adult-derived pluripotent stem cells that copy the functional capabilities of embryonic stem cells without using embryonic material. These adult-derived cells express similar pluripotent markers (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) and can differentiate into the same cell types, providing a functional copy that avoids ethical issues and immune rejection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes easily obtainable adult tissues (skin, blood, nerve) as inexpensive and ethically acceptable alternatives to embryonic stems cells. These adult tissues can be harvested without ethical controversy and the cells derived from them do not require ongoing embryonic material production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are used for therapy, then immune rejection is reduced, but tumor formation risk increases due to genetic manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune rejectionVSAvoidtumor formation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and reactivates endogenous pluripotent programs already present in adult cells without introducing external genetic material. By using transcription factor overexpression (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) to reactivate latent pluripotency factors, the method achieves iPSC-like properties without the genomic integration risks associated with viral vectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the cell's own genetic machinery to achieve pluripotency reactivation. The endogenous pluripotent transcription factors already present in adult cells are reactivated through controlled overexpression, eliminating the need for external genetic manipulation and reducing tumor risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If adult stem cells are used for therapy, then ethical issues are avoided, but pluripotent differentiation potential is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethical issuesVSAvoidpluripotent differentiation potential

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the functional parameters of adult cells by controlling the expression levels of key transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc). By adjusting these parameter levels, adult cells are transformed into pluripotent-like states capable of differentiating into multiple cell types while maintaining ethical advantages of adult-derived cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10787658B2Mammalian pluripotent stem cells, methods for their production, and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

AI summary

The disclosure relates to nerve derived adult pluripotent stem cells characterized by expression of Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4, methods for obtaining them, and their use.