Mixture of Amphipathic Molecules and Method for Cell Membrane Modification by Fusion

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a specific mixture of amphipathic molecules—compounds with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions—designed to efficiently and safely fuse with and modify cell membranes, either of individual cells or cells in tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. When these molecules (typically in the form of liposomes) are brought into contact with living cells, they directly merge with the cell membrane. This allows for the targeted insertion or attachment of various biologically or pharmaceutically relevant molecules (like proteins, drugs, nucleic acids, or signaling markers) into or onto the membrane or inside the cell itself. The method provides a high efficiency of fusion (over 50%), works on a wide variety of cell types, and causes minimal stress or damage to the cells.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Targeted drug delivery by direct fusion of the carrier with the cell membrane, releasing drugs or bioactive molecules into the cell.
• Gene therapy, by fusing DNA- or RNA-containing liposomes directly with the target cell's membrane to deliver genetic material.
• Targeted labeling or marking of specific cell types, such as cancer cells, to make them recognizable to the immune system or for imaging.
• Facilitating cell membrane research and analysis, e.g., tracking membrane proteins or lipid raft domains.
• Attaching therapeutic proteins or ligands onto the surface of cells for experimental or clinical applications (e.g., immunotherapy).
• Repair or reinforcement of cell membranes in tissue engineering or regenerative medicine.
• Enabling the studied and controlled insertion of specific membrane proteins or receptors into cell surfaces.
• Improving wound healing by modifying cell surfaces to enhance migration or cell-cell interaction.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Universal applicability to various mammalian cell types and tissue samples, without needing cell-specific optimization.
• High efficiency of membrane fusion (>50%, often >80%).
• Minimal cell damage or stress, preserving cell viability and proliferation after treatment.
• Allows versatile and programmable modification of both the cell membrane and internal cell contents.
• Enables targeted and controlled delivery of wide range of molecules, including proteins, drugs, nucleic acids, ions, and more.
• Facilitates efficient, direct membrane fusion (not reliant on endocytosis), overcoming the inefficiency of traditional transfection methods.
• Simple and scalable preparation of the liposomal mixtures, which are stable and can be stored for extended periods.
• Potential for combination with therapeutic targeting strategies, such as cancer immunotherapy.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a mixture of amphipathic molecules and to a method for modifying cells in vivo by means of membrane fusion using said molecules.