SP-A Peptides for Asthma via Innate Immune Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for asthma lack effective innate immune modulators, and existing therapies targeting the adaptive immune system have not adequately controlled the disease, particularly in managing acute exacerbations and reducing airway inflammation.
Innovation Solution
Development of Surfactant Protein A (SP-A) peptides, specifically a 6-mer peptide sequence KEQCVE, which acts as an innate immune modulator to reduce eosinophil viability, airway constriction, and mucin production, and is delivered via inhalation to enhance SP-A activity in the lungs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current asthma treatments targeting the adaptive immune system are used, then some asthma symptoms may be managed, but the disease remains poorly controlled and exacerbations continue to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces SP-A peptides as an intermediary substance that mediates between the respiratory system and the immune system. These peptides act as innate immune modulators that directly influence eosinophil function and airway inflammation, providing a new mechanism for asthma control that does not rely on adaptive immune targeting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from adaptive immune system targeting to innate immune system modulation. By using SP-A peptides that affect eosinophil viability, airway constriction, and mucin production, the treatment shifts the biological parameter of action to achieve better asthma control and reduce exacerbations
2Reliability
If full-length SP-A protein is used for treatment, then effective innate immune modulation is achieved, but the peptide is too large for effective pulmonary delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full-length SP-A protein into smaller peptide fragments (6-mer, 10-mer, 20-mer sequences). This segmentation maintains the biologically active motifs necessary for innate immune modulation while reducing the molecular size to enable effective pulmonary delivery through inhalation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the critical functional motifs from the full-length SP-A protein sequence. By identifying and isolating the essential amino acid sequences (such as KEQCVE 6-mer), the invention creates simplified peptide versions that retain immune modulating activity while being suitable for inhalation therapy
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating and preventing lung disease. In particular, provided herein are SP-A peptides and uses thereof in the treatment and prevention of lung disease (e.g., asthma or COPD). The compositions may comprise peptides having an amino acid sequence of Ac-WGKEQCVE(Nle)(Pego3)-Hdc (SEQ ID NO: 24) The peptide compositions may also be used to treat COVID-19.