Timothy Grass Allergen Proteins Modulate Th2 Immune Responses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma are largely symptomatic and only effective in a fraction of patients, with immunotherapy carrying safety concerns, and existing antigens primarily focus on IgE-reactive proteins, neglecting Th2 responses independent of IgE reactivity.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel Timothy Grass proteins and peptides that elicit or inhibit immune responses, including those recognized by Th2 cells independently of IgE reactivity, to induce immunological tolerance and modulate immune responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional IgE-mediated immunotherapy is used to treat allergic diseases, then immune response modulation is achieved, but safety concerns arise and effectiveness is limited to a fraction of patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of immunotherapyVSAvoidsafety concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the target parameter from IgE-mediated responses to Th2 cytokine-mediated responses (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13). By identifying and targeting novel Timothy grass proteins that specifically trigger Th2 responses without requiring IgE mediation, the therapy achieves broader effectiveness while potentially reducing safety risks associated with traditional IgE-focused immunotherapy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the immune response into distinct pathways: IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity versus Th2 cytokine-mediated responses. By focusing on the Th2 pathway (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 production) as a separate targetable mechanism, the invention enables treatment of patients who do not respond to traditional IgE-focused therapies, thereby improving overall reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing antigens focus primarily on IgE-reactive proteins, then immediate hypersensitivity reactions are addressed, but Th2 responses independent of IgE reactivity are neglected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of immune response typesVSAvoidneglect of Th2 responses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to allergen targeting by identifying Timothy grass proteins that operate in the Th2 cytokine dimension (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 production) rather than solely in the IgE dimension. This dimensional expansion allows the therapy to address immune responses that were previously invisible to traditional IgE-focused diagnostic and treatment approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces novel Timothy grass proteins as intermediaries that specifically bridge the gap between allergen exposure and Th2 cytokine production. These proteins serve as mediators that trigger IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 release without requiring IgE mediation, thereby filling the therapeutic gap for patients with Th2-dominant allergic responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10428124B2Timothy grass allergens and methods and uses for immune response modulation

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 LA JOLLA INST FOR ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

AI summary

The invention relates to Timothy Grass proteins and peptides, subsequences, portions, homologs, variants and derivatives thereof, and methods and uses of Timothy Grass proteins and peptides. Methods include, for example, modulating an immune response; protecting a subject against or treating a subject for an allergic response, allergic disorder or allergic disease; and inducing immunological tolerance to the allergen in a subject.