Red Blood Cell Protein Modulation for Immune Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell therapies in haematology overlook the potential of red blood cells (RBCs) in regulating cytokine milieus and modulating immune responses, despite their abundance and role in cell development and repair.

Innovation Solution

Modulating the levels of proteins in RBCs through agents or conditions such as protease inhibitors, anti-coagulants, shear stress, or hypoxia to sequester or release cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, which can then be administered to subjects to influence immune responses and cell processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If red blood cells are traditionally overlooked in therapeutic design, then existing cell therapy approaches remain simple and focused on conventional cell types, but the therapeutic potential and effectiveness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic potentialVSAvoidtherapy design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by demonstrating that red blood cells perform multiple functions beyond oxygen transport, including cytokine secretion, chemokine release, and immune response modulation. This multi-functionality expands therapeutic applications to treat cancer, inflammation, and immune deficiencies, transforming RBCs from a single-function cell type to a versatile therapeutic platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modulating red blood cell protein levels through various agents and conditions (protease inhibitors, anti-coagulants, shear stress, hypoxia) to control the release or sequestration of cytokines and chemokines. This allows precise regulation of therapeutic effects by adjusting environmental parameters and treatment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If red blood cells are used to regulate cytokine milieus, then immune responses and cell processes can be modulated, but the complexity of managing protein levels and secretion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response modulationVSAvoidprotein level management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses intermediaries by introducing specific agents and conditions (protease inhibitors, anti-coagulants, shear stress, hypoxia) that mediate the modulation of red blood cell protein levels. These intermediaries serve as controllable variables to regulate cytokine secretion and chemokine release, enabling reliable immune response modulation through controlled environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If red blood cells act as protein reservoirs, then protein release can be controlled under various conditions, but the ability to predict and control release varies by condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein release controlVSAvoidrelease prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying environmental conditions (shear stress, hypoxia, hyperoxia) and treatment agents to control red blood cell protein release. By establishing cause-effect relationships between these parameters and protein secretion, the patent enables more accurate prediction and control of therapeutic outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments by utilizing RBCs to regulate cytokine levels and modulate immune responses, cell growth, and repair processes, offering improved outcomes for conditions like cancer, inflammation, and immune deficiencies.

Implementation Method 1

RBCs play a significant role in regulating the cytokine milieu by secretion and/or sequestration of various proteins such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSecretion:

Implementation Method 2

RBCs may be induced to sequester or release these proteins, thus providing a means of regulating other cell types and biological processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSequestration:

Implementation Method 3

contacting red blood cells with at least one agent or at least one condition that modulates the level of one or more red blood cell proteins... the at least one agent is one or more agents selected from the group consisting of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, protease inhibitors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtease inhibition:

Implementation Method 4

the at least one condition is shear stress, hypoxia, or hyperoxia

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 5

the at least one condition is shear stress, hypoxia, or hyperoxia

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHypoxia:

Data Source

PatentUS11564948B2Therapeutic methods using erythrocytes

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 SANGUI BIO PTY LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods for modulating the level of proteins in a subject or in target cells by priming red blood cells with various agents or conditions that modulate the levels of proteins associated with red blood cells and administering the primed red blood cells to a subject. The disclosed methods represent a novel use of red blood cells primed to express a number of proteins, as cell therapies for numerous diseases or disorders.