Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Hydrogel Composition for Enzyme-Free Transplantation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stem cell therapies face inefficiencies due to protease treatments that damage cellular proteins, result in significant cell loss during collection and transplantation, and have low survival rates of mesenchymal stem cells, leading to reduced therapeutic effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A method of culturing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in hydrogel, specifically using fibrin glue, which allows for direct syringe filling without enzyme treatment, minimizing cell loss and maintaining bioactive substances, enabling immediate therapeutic effects upon administration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If protease treatment is used to isolate stem cells, then cells can be collected, but intercellular bindings and basement membrane proteins are damaged and 5-10% cell loss occurs during washing-centrifugation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell collection efficiencyVSAvoidcell loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts stem cells from adipose tissue without using protease enzymes. Instead, it utilizes the natural degradation of adipose tissue to release stem cells, which are then maintained in a hydrogel matrix that prevents cell loss during transplantation. This extraction method eliminates the need for harmful enzymatic treatment and subsequent washing steps that cause cell loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hydrogel as an intermediary substance that captures and protects stem cells during the transplantation process. The hydrogel acts as a mediator between the isolated stem cells and the target tissue, preventing cell loss and maintaining cell viability without requiring protease treatment or washing-centrifugation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If mesenchymal stem cells are isolated as single cells, then they can be transplanted, but survival rate is very low as cells die within 6-24 hours after isolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransplantation processVSAvoidcell survival rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material consisting of stem cells embedded in hydrogel. This composite structure provides mechanical support and a protective environment for the stem cells, maintaining their viability during transplantation and preventing the rapid cell death that occurs when cells are isolated as single units. The hydrogel matrix mimics the natural extracellular environment, enhancing cell survival.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If protease treatment is used to collect stem cells, then cells can be isolated, but all proteins exposed on cell membranes are nonselectively degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell isolation efficiencyVSAvoidprotein degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of protease treatment into a beneficial process by utilizing natural tissue degradation mechanisms. Instead of using enzymes that nonselectively degrade proteins, the method allows adipose tissue to naturally break down and release stem cells, which are then protected by hydrogel. This approach eliminates protein degradation while maintaining cell isolation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 significantly reduces cell loss and enhances therapeutic efficacy by maintaining stem cells in a highly active state, promoting prolonged survival and continuous secretion of growth factors, while inhibiting inflammation and supporting wound healing without immune response.

Implementation Method 1

The patent provides a method of using hydrogel polymer, more specifically, polyethylene glycol diacrylate as a biocompatible scaffold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

The present disclosure provides a method of culturing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in hydrogel, specifically using fibrin glue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentEP3199169B1Composition containing mesenchymal stem cell-hydrogel and method for producing the composition

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ANTEROGEN CO LTD

Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stable and readily usable administration type including a composition including mesenchymal stem cells cultured in hydrogel, more specifically, a adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-hydrogel composition and a method of preparing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition including mesenchymal stem cells cultured in hydrogel, washed, and filled into a syringe, wherein the composition of the present invention may be readily administered without modification and may not need an enzyme treatment in a final process of preparing transplanted cells, almost no cell is lost because the composition is washed as hydrogel without an washing process using centrifugation or other methods, and the therapeutic effect is shown immediately after administration to an individual because bioactive substances are patched in pores of the hydrogel.