Biocompatible Polymer Blocks Enhance Trophic Factor Release

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell transplantation methods for treating inflammatory diseases face challenges in achieving sufficient release of trophic factors, such as cytokines, from mesenchymal stem cells, which limits therapeutic effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A cell structure comprising biocompatible polymer blocks arranged between cells, enhancing the release of trophic factors like TSG-6, by increasing the number of viable cells and improving nutrient delivery and cell adhesion, thereby amplifying the therapeutic effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If cells are locally administered as a cell mass to treat inflammatory diseases, then cell transplantation is performed, but the release of trophic factors is insufficient and therapeutic effectiveness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease amount of trophic factorsVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating biocompatible polymer blocks specifically at the gaps between cells in the cell mass. These polymer blocks are placed locally to enhance cell adhesion and nutrient delivery at critical interfaces, thereby improving trophic factor release without requiring uniform modification of the entire cell mass structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining cells with biocompatible polymer blocks to create a hybrid cell mass structure. This composite approach allows the polymer blocks to provide structural support and enhance nutrient delivery while the cells produce trophic factors, achieving synergistic therapeutic effects that neither component could achieve alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If gene introduction is performed into MSC to increase anti-inflammatory ability, then therapeutic effect is enhanced, but safety and effectiveness concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-inflammatory abilityVSAvoidsafety concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biocompatible polymer blocks as intermediaries to enhance cell function without direct genetic modification. The polymer blocks mediate the environment to promote natural trophic factor release and anti-inflammatory responses, avoiding the safety risks associated with gene introduction while still achieving enhanced therapeutic effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cell mass is used for transplantation, then cell engraftment is attempted, but nutrient delivery to cells is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell engraftmentVSAvoidnutrient delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous biocompatible polymer blocks with controlled pore structures that facilitate nutrient diffusion and transport throughout the cell mass. The porous architecture allows nutrients to penetrate deep into the cell mass, ensuring adequate nourishment for engrafted cells while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP3473259B1Trophic factor release agent and inflammatory disease treatment agent
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3473259B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3473259B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3473259B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a trophic factor releasing agent and an inflammatory disease treating agent in which an amount of trophic factors released from cells in a cell transplantation treatment or the like is increased. According to the present invention, there is provided a trophic factor releasing agent including a cell structure that includes biocompatible polymer blocks and cells and in which a plurality of the biocompatible polymer blocks are disposed in gaps between a plurality of the cells, in which a size of one of the biocompatible polymer blocks is 20 µm to 200 µm, and trophic factors are released from the cells.