Liposomal delivery of antigen to human dendritic cells

Melissa J. Copland, Margaret A. Baird*, Thomas Rades, Judith L. McKenzie, Bernd Becker, Folkert Reck, Peter C. Tyler, Nigel M. Davies

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

168 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigated whether formulation of antigen in mannosylated liposomes enhanced uptake and activation of dendritic cells (DC) and increased the ability of DC to induce primed T cell proliferation compared to formulation of antigen in unmodified liposomes or in solution. Immature human DC were generated from peripheral blood monocytes cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4. Uptake of antigen by DC and the degree of expression of the cell surface markers MHC class II, CD80, CD86 and the DC maturation marker CD83, was investigated by flow cytometry following incubation with liposomes or solution containing FITC-conjugated antigen. Exposure to liposomes containing FITC-ovalbumin resulted in enhanced expression of cell surface markers when compared to exposure to antigen in solution. Expression was highest following exposure to mannosylated liposomes. Mannosylated liposomes containing tetanus toxoid (TT) stimulated primed T cell proliferation more effectively than TT-neutral liposomes or TT-solution. This work suggests that mannosylated liposomes provide a versatile delivery vehicle for initiating enhanced immune responses to encapsulated peptide or protein vaccines.

Original languageEnglish
JournalVaccine
Volume21
Issue number9-10
Pages (from-to)883-890
Number of pages8
ISSN0264-410X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Feb 2003

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge Otago Research Grants for provision of funding for this work.

Keywords

  • Dendritic cells
  • Immunotherapy
  • Liposomes

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