Selective T-Cell Modulation for Autoimmune Disease Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies for autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune-mediated age-related macular degeneration and uveitis, face challenges in selectively suppressing aberrant immune responses without inhibiting healthy responses, leading to susceptibility to infections and cancer, and often fail to provide long-term suppression due to limitations in inducing adequate numbers of functional regulatory T-cells.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to identify compounds that induce immune tolerance by eliciting specific responses from responder and regulatory T-cells, involving in vitro assays to select compounds that modulate T-cell responses in patients and healthy individuals, allowing for the administration of these compounds or regulatory T-cells to restore balance to the immune system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-selective immune suppressive therapies are used to mitigate improper attack on self tissues, then autoimmune disease symptoms are suppressed, but healthy responses to pathogens are inhibited leading to susceptibility to infections and cancer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuppression of autoimmune responseVSAvoidsusceptibility to infections and cancer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transitioning from non-selective systemic immune suppression to selective modulation of specific T-cell populations. The method identifies and targets regulatory T-cells (Tregs) that specifically suppress autoimmune responses against self-tissues while preserving healthy responses to pathogens. This is achieved through in vitro identification of compounds that selectively induce immune tolerance to self-antigens, thereby providing localized immunological control rather than broad suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing specific compounds as mediators that facilitate selective immune tolerance. These compounds serve as intermediaries between the immune system and self-antigens, enabling the induction of regulatory T-cells that provide targeted suppression of autoimmune responses without compromising overall immune function. The compounds act as selective modulators that bridge the gap between autoimmunity and infection defense.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If soluble antigen is applied to mucosal surfaces to induce regulatory T-cells, then immune tolerance is induced, but adequate numbers of functional regulatory cells are not produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinduction of regulatory T-cellsVSAvoidnumber of functional regulatory cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the in vitro conditions for regulatory T-cell induction. The method systematically varies parameters such as compound concentration, exposure duration, and cellular environment to maximize the generation of functional regulatory cells. By identifying specific compounds and their optimal dosing regimens, the method transforms the qualitative induction process into a quantifiable and controllable parameter optimization, thereby achieving adequate numbers of functional Tregs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a copying strategy by creating in vitro models that replicate and amplify the natural induction of regulatory T-cells. The method uses in vitro assays to copy the complex in vivo immune tolerance induction process under controlled conditions, allowing for the efficient production and expansion of regulatory cells before administration to patients. This copying approach enables the scaling up of functional regulatory cell numbers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If immune system suppression is used to address autoimmune disease, then one function of the immune system is suppressed, but the other function remains unbalanced leading to further system imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuppression of aberrant immune responseVSAvoidbalance between immune functions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the immune system's dual functions into separately manageable components. Instead of suppressing the entire immune system, the method selectively targets and modulates specific T-cell populations (regulatory T-cells) that are responsible for autoimmune responses. This segmentation allows for the independent optimization of autoimmunity suppression while preserving pathogen response capabilities, thereby maintaining overall immune system balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of broadly suppressing immune function, it focuses on enhancing and optimizing the regulatory function of the immune system. The method identifies and amplifies the natural regulatory capacity through selective induction of Tregs, effectively using the immune system's own regulatory mechanisms to restore balance rather than externally imposing suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20240277822A1Methods of treating autoimmune disease
Publication Date: 2024.08.22 ENZO BIOCHEM INC
  • US20240277822A1 patent drawing
  • US20240277822A1 patent drawing
  • US20240277822A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides immunomodulatory pharmaceutical compositions that include a synthetic peptide and one or more immune tolerance enhancers.