Mesenchymal Stem Cell Culture Medium Mitochondrial Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mesenchymal stem cells, particularly bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, experience a decrease in mitochondrial activity and number due to high levels of reactive oxygen species during culture, which hampers their therapeutic potential in applications such as treating type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.

Innovation Solution

A modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium comprising a basal medium, coenzyme Q10 or mitoquinone mesylate, and melatonin in specific molar ratios, along with additional components like nicotinamide mononucleotide, is used to protect mitochondrial DNA from oxidative damage, enhance mitochondrial activity, and increase mitochondrial numbers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in conventional medium, then cell proliferation occurs, but mitochondrial activity decreases and mitochondrial numbers reduce due to reactive oxygen species damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell proliferationVSAvoidmitochondrial activity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of reactive oxygen species into a beneficial one by adding antioxidants (coenzyme Q10, mitoquinone mesylate, and melatonin) to the culture medium. These antioxidants scavenge reactive oxygen species and transform them into less harmful substances, thereby protecting mitochondrial DNA while allowing cell proliferation to continue

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite culture medium by combining conventional basal medium with multiple antioxidant components (coenzyme Q10 or mitoquinone mesylate plus melatonin) in specific molar ratios. This composite medium provides both the nutrients needed for cell proliferation and the protective antioxidant environment needed to maintain mitochondrial activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If mesenchymal stem cells undergo subculture, then cell expansion is achieved, but mitochondrial DNA is damaged and mitochondrial function deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell numberVSAvoidreactive oxygen species damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protection by adding antioxidants to the culture medium before reactive oxygen species can cause significant damage during subculture. The antioxidants are present from the beginning of the culture period, preventing mitochondrial DNA damage before it occurs rather than attempting to repair it after damage has accumulated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The antioxidants in the modified medium convert the harmful reactive oxygen species generated during subculture into less harmful substances, allowing cell expansion to proceed while protecting mitochondrial integrity

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

3Reliability

If antioxidants are added to culture medium, then mitochondrial activity is maintained, but medium complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemitochondrial activityVSAvoidculture medium composition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameters of the culture medium by specifying precise molar ratios between antioxidants (1:0.2 to 1:10 for coenzyme Q10/melatonin or mitoquinone mesylate/melatonin) and concentrations (1-20 μM for first component, 1-20 μM for melatonin). These parameter optimizations ensure effective mitochondrial protection while minimizing unnecessary complexity in the medium formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified culture medium effectively delays the reduction in mitochondrial activity and increases the number of mitochondria in mesenchymal stem cells, leading to improved cell viability and therapeutic efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.

Implementation Method 1

mitochondrial DNA in the mesenchymal stem cells is easily attacked and damaged due to the high-level reactive oxygen species in the environment of mitochondria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidative damage: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

adding at least one of coenzyme Q10 and mitoquinone mesylate and the melatonin in a molar ratio ranging from 1:0.2 to 1:10 into the basal culture medium, makes the mitochondrial DNA of mesenchymal stem cells less likely to be damaged by the attack of reactive oxygen species

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidant protection: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3957719A1Modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and culture methods and use thereof
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 SHENZHEN HONGJI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3957719A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3957719A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3957719A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium, a bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell and a culture method and use thereof, the modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium comprising a basal culture medium, a first component, and melatonin, wherein the first component is at least one selected from the group consisting of coenzyme Q10 and mitoquinone mesylate, and has a working concentration in a range from 1 µM to 20 µM, the melatonin has a working concentration in a range from 1 µM to 20 µM, and the first component and the melatonin are in a molar ratio ranging from 1:0.2 to 1:10. The modified mesenchymal stem cell culture medium can increase the mitochondrial activity and the number of mitochondria in mesenchymal stem cells.