Human Retinal Progenitor Cell Purification via Multi-Marker Flow Cytometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack the ability to effectively characterize and purify human retinal progenitor cells, which are crucial for transplantation and treating degenerative retinal diseases.

Innovation Solution

The identification and utilization of specific cell surface markers such as SSEA4, CD73, PTK7, PSA-NCAM, recoverin, Sox2, and Pax6 to characterize and purify human retinal progenitor cells, allowing for the enrichment of these cells and the elimination of impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cell therapy tools are used for retinal degenerative disorders, then treatment potential is improved, but cell characterization accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment potentialVSAvoidcell characterization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell characterization process into multiple marker categories (neural stem cell markers, glial progenitor markers, retinal pigment epithelial markers) and uses flow cytometry to separately detect and quantify each marker population, enabling precise characterization of different cell types within the therapy product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces flow cytometry as an intermediary measurement tool that detects cell surface markers (such as CD133, A2B5, CD38, SSEA4, PSA-NCAM) to indirectly characterize cell types without requiring direct observation or complex analysis, thereby improving characterization accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cell purification methods are applied, then cell population quality is improved, but marker identification capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell population qualityVSAvoidmarker identification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters by using multiple fluorescently-conjugated antibodies specific to different cell surface markers, allowing simultaneous detection and differentiation of multiple cell types based on their unique marker expressions, thereby improving marker identification capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical or physical separation methods with immunological detection using flow cytometry, where fluorescently-conjugated antibodies bind to specific cell surface markers, enabling precise identification and purification of desired cell populations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If comprehensive cell characterization is performed, then therapeutic safety is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic safetyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flow cytometry as a universal platform that can simultaneously detect multiple cell surface markers (CD133, A2B5, CD38, SSEA4, PSA-NCAM) in a single assay, enabling comprehensive characterization of different cell types and their proportions within the therapy product without requiring multiple separate assays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250161366A1Phenotype profile of human retinal progenitor cells

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SCHEPENS EYE RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to substantially homogenous populations of human retinal progenitor cells having the following positive surface markers: SSEA4, CD73, PTK7 and PSA-NCAM. The invention also relates to method for preparing such substantially homogenous cell populations from human tissue using cell sorting techniques.