Pneumococcal T-Cell Immunogen Discovery Through Solvent Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pneumococcal vaccines face challenges such as high production and delivery costs, serotype replacement, and the need for serotype-independent immunity, while existing methods for identifying immunogens are not optimized for full antigen repertoire extraction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of organic solvents like chloroform to kill pathogens, followed by solvent removal and rehydration to release antigens, which are then size-fractionated and evaluated for immune stimulation, identifying immunogens that induce a Th17-cell response and protect against pneumococcal colonization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conjugate pneumococcal vaccines are used, then pneumococcal disease prevention is achieved, but production and delivery costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumococcal disease preventionVSAvoidproduction and delivery costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies specific immunogenic proteins (such as SP0862, SP1534, SP2070) from the pneumococcal organism using organic solvent treatment and size-fractionation methods. By isolating and characterizing specific antigenic components rather than using whole-cell vaccines, the invention enables production of more cost-effective protein subunit vaccines that maintain protective immunity while reducing manufacturing complexity and delivery costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If capsular-based vaccines are used, then pneumococcal disease prevention is achieved through herd immunity, but serotype replacement occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumococcal disease preventionVSAvoidserotype-independent immunity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies immunogenic proteins that elicit serotype-independent immune responses through size-fractionation and immunostimulation assays. These proteins (including SP0862, SP1534, SP2070) have been shown to induce Th17-cell responses and protect against colonization across different pneumococcal serotypes. By targeting conserved protein antigens rather than serotype-specific capsular polysaccharides, the invention achieves universal protection that prevents serotype replacement while maintaining herd immunity effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If existing immunogen identification methods are used, then some antigens are identified, but full antigen repertoire extraction is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantigen repertoire extractionVSAvoidimmunogen identification efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs size-fractionation techniques to divide the complex pneumococcal antigen mixture into discrete size classes, allowing systematic identification and characterization of immunogenic proteins. This segmentation approach, combined with organic solvent treatment and immunostimulation assays, enables comprehensive extraction and identification of the full antigen repertoire, including previously overlooked proteins such as SP0862, SP1534, and SP2070, thereby significantly improving immunogen identification efficiency and completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Identifies novel pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, such as SP0862, SP1534, and SP2070, which elicit a systemic IL-17A response and provide protection against pneumococcal colonization when administered as mucosal vaccines, potentially offering a more accessible and effective vaccine solution.

Implementation Method 1

killing a pathogen culture with a solvent, e.g., an organic solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvent killing:

Implementation Method 2

The organic solvent is removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvent removal: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

the remaining materials re-hydrated in aqueous solution. This process releases various antigens in the liquid phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRehydration: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

which can then be harvested by centrifugation and collection of supernatants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 5

The liquid phase is further size-fractionated, or separated by preparative SDS gel or other methods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSize-fractionation: Fractionation

Data Source

PatentUS12370246B2Immunogens and methods for discovery and screening thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENT CORP

AI summary

The present application is generally directed to methods for identifying immunogens from organisms and pathogens, and in particular for identifying immunogens which when administered as vaccines elicit a cellular and/or humoral immune response. The present application is also directed to pneumococcal T-cell immunogens, and vaccine compositions comprising one or a combination of pneumococcal immunogens and methods for treating or preventing pneumococcal infections using the vaccines thereof. The present invention also encompasses use of the pneumococcal immunogens for diagnostic purposes to identify a subject with a pneumococcal infection.