Recombinant Fibronectin Fragment for Stem Cell Proliferation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing stem cells are inefficient in terms of proliferation rate and quality, particularly when using fibronectin or its fragments, which can introduce viral contaminants and are not suitable for rapid large-scale production for regenerative medicine.

Innovation Solution

Culturing stem cells with recombinant fibronectin fragments, specifically polypeptides comprising human fibronectin III repeats, which are functionally equivalent to full-length fibronectin but with modifications such as substitutions, deletions, or additions of amino acids, to enhance proliferation and maintain undifferentiated states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full-length fibronectin or commercially available 120 k-fr is used as substrate for culturing stem cells, then stem cells can be cultured, but the proliferation rate is slow and there is a high risk of viral contamination from natural fibronectin sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality and safety of stem cellsVSAvoidproliferation rate of stem cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the full-length fibronectin molecule into specific type III repeat domains (III-1 to III-6, and/or III-8 to III-14) to create recombinant fibronectin fragments. These segmented fragments eliminate viral contamination risks from full-length natural fibronectin while maintaining essential cell-binding functions, thereby improving safety without sacrificing proliferation rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of fibronectin from full-length (250 kDa) to specific fragments (60-120 kDa), and further optimizes by selecting particular type III repeat combinations. This parameter change removes viral contaminants while preserving the RGD and other cell-binding motifs necessary for stem cell proliferation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If natural fibronectin is used as substrate, then stem cells can be cultured, but there is a high risk that viruses and other contaminants from origin organisms are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of fibronectin substrateVSAvoidviral contamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential type III repeat domains from full-length fibronectin, removing the portions that may contain viral contaminants. By synthesizing only the critical functional domains (III-1 to III-6 and/or III-8 to III-14) through recombinant DNA technology, the solution eliminates viral risks while retaining stem cell culture functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates recombinant copies of specific fibronectin type III repeat domains using synthetic DNA sequences. These copied fragments replicate the essential cell-binding functions of natural fibronectin without containing any viral genetic material, thereby providing a safe alternative for stem cell culture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If conventional fibronectin methods are used, then stem cell culture is possible, but a sufficient amount of stem cells cannot be produced in a short period of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of stem cells producedVSAvoidtime required for production
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the dynamic characteristics of fibronectin-stem cell interaction by selecting specific type III repeat combinations that maximize binding affinity and signaling efficiency. This dynamic optimization accelerates stem cell proliferation kinetics, enabling faster production of sufficient cell quantities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite functional domains by combining specific type III repeat sequences (III-1 to III-6 and/or III-8 to III-14) in defined arrangements. This composite structure integrates multiple cell-binding motifs and signaling domains into a single recombinant protein that enhances proliferation efficiency and reduces culture time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3492592B1Fibronectin fragment to be used for stem cell production
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 TAKARA BIO INC
  • EP3492592B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3492592B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3492592B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Stem cells can be efficiently proliferated by culturing the stem cells in the presence of a novel recombinant fibronectin fragment.