Retinal Pigment Epithelial Stem Cells for Vision Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for retinal cell damage, such as those caused by diseases like uveitis or retinitis pigmentosa, often rely on immunosuppressive drugs with significant side effects and do not effectively regenerate damaged retinal cells, leading to vulnerability for permanent damage and limited efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Retinal pigment epithelial stem cells (RPESCs) are isolated from the adult retinal pigment epithelium, capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types, including retinal progenitor cells, neurons, and other lineage cells, offering a potential for regenerative therapy without the side effects of existing treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat retinal cell damage, then inflammation is controlled, but harmful side effects occur and permanent retinal cell damage remains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of retinal cell damage into a beneficial regenerative process by using stem cells to replace damaged cells. Instead of merely suppressing inflammation with immunosuppressants, the invention actively regenerates lost retinal cells through stem cell transplantation and differentiation, transforming the problem of cell loss into a solution of cell replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the retinal tissue to self-repair by utilizing stem cells that can differentiate into retinal cell types. The stem cells serve the retinal tissue by replacing damaged cells, creating a self-service regenerative system that reduces dependence on immunosuppressive medications and their associated side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If current drug treatments are used for retinal diseases, then some disease progression is slowed, but retinal cell regeneration does not occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease control periodVSAvoidcell regeneration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of retinal tissue by introducing stem cells with regenerative capacity. This transforms the static, non-regenerating retinal tissue into a dynamic system capable of cell replacement and regeneration, fundamentally altering the course of disease progression from irreversible damage to potential recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2279247B1Retinal pigment epithelial stem cells

Publication Date: 2019.01.02 REGENERATIVE RES FOUND

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stem cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.