Selective Surface for Apoptosis-Resistant Cell Enrichment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical technologies face challenges in selectively isolating apoptosis-signaling resistant stem and progenitor cells, which are crucial for transplantation therapies, as existing methods fail to effectively differentiate and enrich these cells while avoiding graft versus host disease (GvHD) and maintaining graft versus tumor (GvT) activity.

Innovation Solution

A selective surface comprising a biocompatible polymer with maleic anhydride molecules and an immobilized apoptosis-inducing ligand, such as FasL, is used to selectively bind and enrich apoptosis-signaling resistant cells, including stem and progenitor cells, by incubating cell populations with the surface to eliminate sensitive cells, thereby reducing the risk of GvHD while retaining GvT activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If existing methods are used to isolate stem and progenitor cells, then cell isolation is performed, but apoptosis-signaling resistant cells cannot be effectively enriched and GvHD risk remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell isolation precisionVSAvoidenrichment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of apoptosis-inducing ligands (which normally cause cell death) into a beneficial selection mechanism. By immobilizing FasL on the container surface, apoptosis-sensitive cells are eliminated while apoptosis-resistant stem and progenitor cells survive and are enriched, thus transforming a harmful apoptotic signal into a useful cell selection tool

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a selective surface with specific apopticity only where needed - the inner surface of the container is modified with apoptosis-inducing ligands, while the bulk medium and other surfaces remain non-selective. This localized application allows precise control over which cells are selected without affecting the entire system uniformly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If apoptosis-inducing ligands are used to select cells, then apoptosis-resistant cells are enriched, but maintaining biological activity of the ligand on the surface is challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection effectivenessVSAvoidligand immobilization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses maleic anhydride molecules as an intermediary between the container surface and the apoptosis-inducing ligand. The maleic anhydride forms a reactive layer on the surface that enables covalent bonding of FasL, serving as a mediator that facilitates stable ligand attachment while preserving ligand biological activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface structure combining the container material (polystyrene or fluorocarbon polymer) with maleic anhydride functional groups and immobilized apoptosis-inducing ligands. This composite structure integrates the mechanical properties of the container with the selective biological function of the ligand layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The method effectively enriches apoptosis-signaling resistant cells, improving the clinical outcome of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell transplantation by reducing malignant cell contamination and minimizing GvHD while maintaining immune function, as demonstrated by the selective elimination of apoptosis-sensitive cells and preservation of graft activity.

Implementation Method 1

a biocompatible polymer comprising maleic anhydride molecules; and an apoptosis inducing ligand bound to the maleic anhydride molecules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3303563B1Selective surfaces for, and methods of, selecting a population of stem and progenitor cells, and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 CELLECT BIOTHERAPEUTICS LTD
  • EP3303563B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3303563B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3303563B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

The present invention discloses selective surfaces, wherein said selective surfaces comprise a biocompatible polymer comprising maleic anhydride molecules and an apoptosis inducing ligand bound to the maleic anhydride molecules. The invention also encompasses devices and kits comprising the selective surface and methods for its production. The selective surfaces may be used for functional selection of cell populations suitable for transplantation into human subjects.