Algorithmic Peptide Identification for Targeted Vaccine Epitopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying immunogenic peptides are inefficient, often requiring complex biological preparations, lack specificity, and are difficult to reproduce, leading to nonspecific immune responses and challenges in developing effective vaccines for autoimmune and cancer treatments.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the synthesis of immunogenic peptides from self-proteins, using algorithms to identify peptide sequences involved in antibody-binding interactions, and employing proteasome digestion to generate novel epitopes, which are then used to stimulate specific immune responses and develop targeted vaccines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex biological preparations are used to identify immunogenic peptides, then immune response can be generated, but the method lacks specificity and reproducibility

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereproducibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of biological preparations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex biological preparation process into discrete, defined peptide sequences. Instead of using complex biological mixtures, the invention identifies and synthesizes specific peptide fragments (e.g., 9-15 amino acids) that can be precisely controlled and reproduced. This segmentation transforms an unreliable complex system into reproducible simple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies of the essential immunogenic elements. Rather than using complete complex biological preparations, the invention synthesizes peptide copies that contain only the critical immunogenic sequences. These synthetic peptide copies maintain the essential immune-stimulating properties while eliminating the complexity and variability of biological preparations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If polyclonal antibodies are used for treatment, then broad immune coverage is achieved, but specificity to target antigen is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreadth of immune coverageVSAvoidspecificity to target antigen
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing immune recognition on specific local regions (epitopes) of the antigen rather than the entire antigen structure. By identifying and using specific peptide sequences that correspond to particular epitopes, the invention achieves precise targeting while maintaining the ability to adapt to different antigens by selecting different peptide sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If T cell vaccine preparations are tailored to each patient, then individual specificity is improved, but production complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual specificityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential immunogenic information from each patient's specific antigen and encapsulates it in a simple peptide sequence. By taking out only the critical 9-15 amino acid epitope sequences that are unique to each patient's antigen, the invention maintains individual specificity while eliminating the need for complex patient-specific cell culture and preparation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of information

If conventional epitope prediction methods are used, then epitope locations can be identified, but accuracy and reliability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveepitope identification accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of prediction algorithms
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service approach where the antigen itself provides the information needed for epitope identification. By using the patient's own antigen to generate and identify the epitopic peptides, the system eliminates the need for complex external prediction algorithms. The antigen's own sequence and structure guide the identification process, ensuring high accuracy without requiring sophisticated computational tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1934608B8Targeted identification of immunogenic peptides
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 THE HENRY M JACKSON FOUND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY MEDICINE INC

AI summary

This invention relates generally to identifying peptide sequences involved in antibody binding to any protein for synthesis of vaccine treatments. This novel method allows for a more manageable vaccine peptide discovery and specific generation of unique immunogenic peptides from self-tumor associated proteins and/or foreign proteins from infectious organisms for specific and/or enhanced expression only in the presence of the antibody.