Peptides for Mammary Gland Involution and Lactation Cessation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inducing lactation cessation and involution in mammary glands are either slow or non-reproducible, leading to issues like mastitis and milk stasis, which can cause discomfort and increase the risk of intramammary infections in lactating animals and humans.
Innovation Solution
Development of synthetic or recombinant peptides with the motif Ser(P)-Ser(P)-Ser(P) linked to positively charged amino acids, which can be easily produced and formulated for efficient induction of lactation cessation and involution, reducing the risk of mastitis and allowing for rapid milk drying-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If natural involution process is allowed to proceed without intervention, then the process occurs but it is slow and leads to milk stasis and mastitis risk, but if abrupt cessation of milk removal is imposed, then involution is triggered but milk stasis and mastitis occur due to rapid tissue changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses peptide molecules that specifically bind to progesterone receptors, changing the hormonal parameter state in mammary tissue. This triggers involution by mimicking the natural hormonal changes that occur after parturition, accelerating the process while avoiding the harmful effects of abrupt milk removal cessation. The peptide-progesterone receptor interaction modifies the biochemical environment to promote controlled tissue regression.
Solution Approach 2:
The peptide acts as an intermediary molecule that mediates between the desired outcome (rapid involution) and the harmful effects (milk stasis, mastitis). By binding to progesterone receptors, the peptide triggers a cascade of physiological changes that mimic natural involution, serving as a bridge between the two states without requiring abrupt milk removal cessation. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled acceleration of involution while preventing complications.
2Reliability
If a dry period is imposed by cessation of milking to induce involution, then involution occurs but milk production is lost during this period, but if continuous milking is maintained, then high milk production is achieved but involution is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The peptide is administered before the natural dry period would begin, preliminarily triggering the involution process through progesterone receptor activation. This preliminary action initiates tissue changes that would normally occur only after complete milk removal cessation, allowing the animal to enter the dry period with involution already underway or complete, thereby maintaining milk production longer while ensuring reliable involution occurs.
3Speed
If peptide treatment is administered to induce rapid involution, then involution speed increases and mastitis risk decreases, but additional treatment cost and administration complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs short peptide molecules rather than large protein structures or complex biological products. These small peptides can be synthesized cheaply using standard peptide synthesis methods, are stable enough for storage and administration, but small enough to be easily formulated and administered. The disposable nature of injectable peptides simplifies logistics compared to long-term treatments, and the low synthesis cost reduces overall treatment expense despite the added administration step.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides novel short peptides that are highly effective in inducing involution in a mammary gland of a lactating mammal and cessation of milk production by the gland. The invention further provides pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptides and methods of use thereof including for treating microbial infection in a mammary gland.