Liposomes as adjuvant for anti-mycobacterial vaccine development

Mycobacteria are intracellular pathogens that invade and reside inside the macrophages. Recent advances in controlled delivery systems for vaccines such as liposomes have sparked a renewed interest in their potential application for the prevention of mycobacterial infections. The versatility of liposomes in the incorporation of hydrophilic/hydrophobic components, their non-toxic nature, biodegradability, biocompatibility, adjuvanticity, induction of cellular immunity, property of sustained release and prompt uptake by macrophages, makes them attractive candidates for the delivery of antigens. This review focuses on liposome research in the area of mycobacterial diseases and highlights how the various mycobacterial components may be exploited as powerful antigens with liposomes as adjuvants.