Synthetic HMO Mixture Modulating Intestinal Microbiota

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) lack specificity in modulating the intestinal microbiota to effectively treat various disorders, including bacterial and viral infections, and do not provide broad enough modulation to address multiple disorders simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A synthetic mixture of HMOs comprising LNnT, LNT, 2′-FL, 3′-SL, 6′-SL, and either DFL or 3-FL, with optional lactose, is developed to specifically modulate the intestinal microbiota, increasing Bifidobacterium abundance and reducing Ruminococcus gnavus and Proteobacteria, thereby enhancing immune response and improving intestinal barrier function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individual HMOs are used to modulate microbiota, then specific modulation is achieved, but the ability to address multiple disorders simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecificity of microbiota modulationVSAvoidability to address multiple disorders
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual HMOs (2′-FL, 3-FL, 6′-SL, LNnT, LNT, DFL) into a single synthetic mixture that works synergistically. This merging approach allows the composition to address multiple disorders simultaneously (viral infections, bacterial infections, inflammation, cancer therapy enhancement) while maintaining specific modulation of the microbiota, resolving the contradiction between specificity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If digestible fibres are used to modulate microbiota, then broad modulation is achieved, but specificity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad modulation capabilityVSAvoidspecificity of modulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite prebiotic material consisting of six specific HMOs with defined ratios (2′-FL: 30-70%, 3-FL: 5-30%, 6′-SL: 10-40%, LNnT: 5-20%, LNT: 5-20%, DFL: 5-20%). This composite structure provides both broad modulation of the microbiota (affecting multiple bacterial groups) and high specificity (targeted increase in Bifidobacterium, specific reduction in Ruminococcus gnavus and Proteobacteria), resolving the contradiction between broad and specific modulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If only Bifidobacterium is increased in the microbiota, then specific beneficial effects are achieved, but broad health benefits are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeted microbiota modificationVSAvoidrange of health benefits
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The HMO mixture achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously: (1) increasing Bifidobacterium abundance, (2) reducing Ruminococcus gnavus and Proteobacteria, (3) preventing viral infections through microbiota modulation, (4) reducing inflammation, and (5) enhancing anticancer agent efficacy. This single composition performs multiple therapeutic functions, resolving the contradiction between targeted modification and broad health benefits.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20240407419A1MIXTURE OF HMOs
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 GLYCOM AS

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides that consists essentially of: LNnT, LNT, 2′-FL, 3′-SL, 6′-SL, either DFL or 3-FL, preferably DFL, useful for preventing and/or treating viral and/or bacterial infections in a non-infant human.