Senescent Cell Detection Compounds with Enhanced Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomarkers for detecting senescent cells, such as SA-β-gal, are limited by the need for fresh/frozen biological material, strict monitoring conditions, and inability to apply to archival tissue, while alternative methods like lipofuscin staining with Sudan Black B face challenges with ethanol solubility and require high magnification for accurate identification in paraffin-embedded tissues.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel chemical compounds with structural similarity to Sudan Black B, possessing higher ethanol solubility and improved sensitivity for detecting senescent cells by reacting with lipofuscin, allowing for detection in both fresh and archival samples, including paraffin-embedded tissues, without the need for high magnification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Sudan Black B is used for lipofuscin staining to detect senescent cells in paraffin-embedded tissues, then detection capability is achieved, but the compound has poor ethanol solubility and requires high magnification for accurate identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidethanol solubility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of Sudan Black B by introducing hydrophilic substituents (such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amino groups) to improve ethanol solubility while maintaining the lipophilic core structure necessary for lipofuscin binding. This parameter change in molecular structure resolves the solubility issue without sacrificing detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite dye molecules that combine the lipophilic naphthyl-azo-perimidine core (for lipofuscin affinity) with hydrophilic substituent groups (for ethanol solubility). This composite structure integrates both required properties: the core provides binding specificity while the substituents provide solubility enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If Sudan Black B is used for staining, then senescent cells can be detected, but high magnification is required which increases device complexity and reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmagnification requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the staining contrast and signal intensity by optimizing the dye structure, allowing detection at lower magnification. The modified compounds produce stronger, more distinct staining patterns that are visible at reduced magnification levels, thereby reducing the need for high-power microscopes and simplifying the detection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If SA-β-gal assay is used to detect senescent cells, then biomarker detection is achieved, but fresh/frozen biological material is required with strict monitoring conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomarker detectionVSAvoidsample type applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a staining method that is universally applicable to multiple sample types including both fresh/frozen tissues and archival paraffin-embedded tissues. The lipofuscin-based staining approach does not require the samples to be processed under strict conditions or maintained in specific states, making it adaptable to a wide range of sample types already available in research and clinical settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 new compounds enable sensitive and efficient detection of senescent cells in various tissue types, including archival samples, with improved ease of use and applicability, reducing the reliance on experienced personnel and overcoming solubility issues, thus facilitating broader research and clinical applications.

Implementation Method 1

novel chemical compounds that possess structural similarity to the dye Sudan Black B... for the detection of senescent cells by reacting with lipofuscin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLipofuscin binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3475265B1Compounds for the detection of senescent cells
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 UNIV OF MANCHESTER
  • EP3475265B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3b
  • EP3475265B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6b
  • EP3475265B1 patent drawingFigure 7a~8b

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to de novo synthesized, chemical compounds of the formula (1) or (2) that function as senescent cell detectors wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are as defined herein. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds, to their use in the detection of senescent cells, to methods of detecting senescence in cells and to kits comprising said compounds. The compounds have the ability to react with lipofuscin, in an analogous manner to the histochemical dye Sudan Black B (SBB).