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Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
Liposomes containing glucosyl ceramide specifically bind T4 bacteriophage: a self-assembling nanocarrier formulation
Carl R Alving1, Mangala Rao, Kristina K Peachman
1Department of Adjuvant and Antigen Research, U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Division of Retrovirology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA. calving@hivresearch.org
Journal of Liposome Research
|March 16, 2011
Summary
This study developed a self-assembling vaccine carrier using bacteriophage T4 bound to liposomes. The formulation effectively delivered an HIV antigen and adjuvant, inducing high antibody titers in mice.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Bacteriophage T4 binding to Escherichia coli is primarily mediated by glucose moieties.
- Liposomes are versatile carriers for vaccine components, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) exhibits potent adjuvant activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel self-assembling antigen and adjuvant carrier system.
- To investigate the binding of bacteriophage T4 to liposomes containing glucosyl ceramide (GluCer).
- To evaluate the immunogenicity of a construct comprising an HIV antigen fused to T4 capsid protein, delivered via liposomes.
Main Methods:
- Liposomes were formulated with glucosyl ceramide (GluCer) and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA).
- Bacteriophage T4 was attached to GluCer-containing liposomes.
- An HIV-1 gp41 C-trimer (Ct) peptide antigen was fused to the T4 outer capsid protein (Hoc) and displayed on the T4 capsid.
- Mice were immunized with the Ct-Hoc-T4 construct bound to GluCer and MPLA liposomes.
Main Results:
- T4 bacteriophage specifically bound to liposomes containing glucosyl ceramide, confirming glucose as a key receptor.
- The Ct-Hoc construct was successfully displayed on T4 capsids and recognized by a specific monoclonal antibody.
- Immunization with the self-assembling liposome-T4 construct induced high titers of Ct-specific antibodies in mice.
Conclusions:
- Liposomes containing GluCer and MPLA can spontaneously bind T4 bacteriophage displaying antigens.
- This formulation represents a promising, easily manufactured, self-assembling carrier for antigens and adjuvants.
- The developed system demonstrates potential for effective vaccine delivery and immune response induction.
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