Stem Cell Preconditioning for Ischemic Organ Viability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Organ transplantation faces challenges such as transplant rejection and organ viability decline due to ischemia and reperfusion injury, leading to complications and organ rejection, despite advancements in preservation techniques.

Innovation Solution

Exposure of organs to exogenous stem cells expressing oct4, telomerase, or rox-1, which can differentiate into endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal germ layers, prior to or during transplantation, to reduce inflammation, immunological interference, and ischemic-reperfusion injury through immunomodulation and cytoprotection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional preservation techniques are used, then organ transplantation can be performed, but organ viability declines due to ischemia and reperfusion injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan viabilityVSAvoidischemia and reperfusion injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by exposing the organ to stem cells before transplantation to pre-condition the organ tissue. This pre-exposure reduces the harmful effects of ischemia and reperfusion injury that occur during and after transplantation, thereby improving organ viability without requiring complex additional preservation equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses stem cells as an intermediary substance between the organ and the harmful effects of ischemia/reperfusion. The stem cells mediate the interaction by reducing inflammation and immunological responses, protecting the organ tissue from direct damage while enabling transplantation to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If immunosuppressive drugs are used to manage transplant rejection, then transplant rejection can be managed, but significant complications in organ function occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransplant rejection managementVSAvoidcomplications in organ function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the immunomodulatory function from pharmacological interventions and places it in the organ tissue itself through stem cell exposure. The stem cells reduce inflammation and immunological responses directly at the tissue level, eliminating the need for systemic immunosuppressive drugs and their associated complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the organ to serve itself by having stem cells modify the organ tissue to reduce its own immunogenicity. The organ becomes more tolerant of the recipient's immune system through direct exposure to stem cells, creating self-protective properties without external drug intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If more organs are harvested for transplantation, then patient survival can be improved, but the supply of healthy organs remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorgan supplyVSAvoidorgan health

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biological parameters of the organ by exposing it to stem cells, which modifies tissue properties to reduce damage from ischemia and reperfusion. This parameter change allows organs to maintain better health during the transplantation process, increasing the number of viable organs available without compromising quality

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 method improves organ transplantation success by reducing inflammation, immunological responses, and ischemic-reperfusion injury, enhancing organ viability and acceptance by the recipient, thereby increasing the chances of successful transplantation.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the organ to exogenous stem cells prior to, during, and/or after transplantation... the stem cells reduce the deleterious effects of ischemia on an organ... reducing inflammation, immunological responses, and ischemic-reperfusion injury through immunomodulation and cytoprotection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmunomodulation:

Implementation Method 2

the stem cells reduce the deleterious effects of ischemia on an organ designated to be harvested for transplantation or that has been harvested for transplantation... reducing inflammation, immunological responses, and ischemic-reperfusion injury through immunomodulation and cytoprotection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCytoprotection:

Data Source

PatentEP2983680B1Improving organs for transplantation

Publication Date: 2020.08.26 ABT HOLDING CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention provides methods and compositions that improve the success of organ transplantation. The methods and compositions are directed to exposing a desired organ to stem cells prior to, during, and/or after transplantation. In one embodiment, the stem cells reduce the deleterious effects of ischemia on an organ designated to be harvested for transplantation or that has been harvested for transplantation. In another embodiment in which an organ designated for transplantation is perfused ex vivo, the method involves reducing ischemic reperfusion injury by perfusing the organ with a medium that contains stem cells.