Related Experiment Videos
Adjuvanticity and ISCOM formation by structurally diverse saponins
R Bomford1, M Stapleton, S Winsor
1Institut Pasteur, Unité d'Epidemiologie des Virus Oncogenes, Paris, France.
Vaccine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Certain saponins from Gypsophila and Saponaria exhibit adjuvant activity, forming immunostimulating complex (ISCOM)-like structures. This activity is linked to branched sugar chains, unlike glycoalkaloids which lack adjuvant effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Adjuvants enhance immune responses to antigens.
- Saponins and glycoalkaloids are natural compounds with diverse biological activities.
- Immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) are potent vaccine adjuvants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adjuvant activity of saponins and glycoalkaloids.
- To correlate structural features (aglycones, sugar chains) with adjuvant potential.
- To examine the formation of immunostimulating complex (ISCOM)-like structures.
Main Methods:
- Screening of various saponins and glycoalkaloids for adjuvant activity.
- Structural analysis of compounds based on aglycone and sugar chain composition.
- Microscopic observation of ISCOM-like structure formation.
Main Results:
- Gypsophila and Saponaria saponins showed adjuvant activity, similar to Quillaia saponins.
- Adjuvant activity was associated with saponins possessing branched sugar chains at specific aglycone positions.
- Glycoalkaloids with branched sugar chains did not exhibit adjuvant activity.
- Saponaria and Gypsophila saponins formed ISCOM-like structures, while alfalfa hederagenin saponin and Quinoa formed pore-sheets.
Conclusions:
- Branched sugar chains in saponins are crucial for adjuvant activity and ISCOM formation.
- Structural variations influence both adjuvant potential and self-assembly into supramolecular structures.
- Saponins from Gypsophila and Saponaria are promising candidates for vaccine adjuvant development.