Immunostimulatory Plasmid Liposome Delivery for Fish Immunity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunization methods for fish are inadequate in providing effective protection against infectious diseases, as they often require time to stimulate acquired immunity and may not offer immediate protection against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Innovation Solution

The use of immunostimulatory plasmids with a liposome delivery vehicle, which contain CpG motifs and non-CpG immunostimulatory motifs, to modulate the immune system of fish, enhancing both innate and acquired immune responses when administered with or without vaccines, thereby providing prophylactic and therapeutic immunity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional immunization methods are used for fish, then acquired immunity is stimulated, but protection is delayed and not immediate against pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidtime to stimulate immunity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The immune response is segmented into two components: innate immunity activated immediately by CpG motifs and non-CpG immunostimulatory motifs, and acquired immunity activated subsequently by vaccine antigens. This segmentation allows immediate protection while maintaining long-term immunity development.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plasmid composition performs preliminary action by activating the innate immune system before pathogen exposure or vaccine antigen presentation. The CpG and non-CpG motifs prepare the immune system in advance, creating a state of heightened readiness that provides immediate protection against pathogens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If immunostimulatory plasmids with CpG motifs are used, then rapid immune response is elicited, but the complexity of the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune response speedVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple immunostimulatory elements (CpG motifs, non-CpG motifs, and vaccine antigens) are merged into a single plasmid composition delivered by liposomes. This consolidation achieves rapid immune activation without requiring separate administration of multiple components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plasmid composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a delivery vehicle, contains immunostimulatory sequences (CpG and non-CpG motifs), and presents vaccine antigens. This multi-functionality achieves rapid and comprehensive immune activation through a single administered composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If liposome delivery vehicle is used to deliver plasmid, then delivery efficiency and immune response are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Liposomes serve as an intermediary delivery system that facilitates plasmid uptake by fish cells. The liposome-plasmid complex improves delivery efficiency by protecting the plasmid and enhancing cellular uptake, while the use of standard liposome formulations keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3328423B1Enhanced immune response in fish
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ELANCO ANIMAL HEALTH GMBH
  • EP3328423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3328423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3328423B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention generally relates to methods of eliciting an immune response in an aquatic species subject. In particular, an immunomodulator composition is used to induce an immune response to enhance the subject's ability to fight pathogens.