Liposomes as Adjuvants and Vaccine Delivery Systems

Area of Science:

• Vaccinology
• Nanotechnology
• Immunology

Background:

• Liposomes and lipid nanoparticles are extensively researched as adjuvant carriers in vaccinology.
• Decades of research focus on developing subunit vaccines using these carriers for infectious diseases.
• Recent advancements in industrial lipid production and liposomal preparation technologies have accelerated progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role and advancements of liposomes and lipid nanoparticles in vaccine development.
• To discuss the influence of liposome characteristics on immune response induction.
• To highlight approved and clinical-stage liposomal vaccines, including mRNA-based formulations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on liposomes in vaccinology.
• Analysis of immune system mechanisms (innate and adaptive immunity) in response to antigen-liposome interactions.
• Examination of liposome properties (size, charge, lipid composition) and their effect on antigen presentation.
• Discussion of immunostimulant incorporation for immune response modulation.

Main Results:

• Liposomes offer versatility and biocompatibility as vaccine carriers.
• Liposome characteristics significantly influence antigen internalization by immune cells and immune response induction.
• Contradictory findings exist regarding liposome-cell interactions, necessitating case-specific verification.
• Incorporation of immunostimulants can modulate the strength and type of immune response.

Conclusions:

• Liposomes and lipid nanoparticles are promising platforms for modern vaccine development.
• Understanding liposome-immune cell interactions is crucial for optimizing vaccine efficacy.
• Approved and investigational liposomal vaccines demonstrate the clinical potential of this technology, including mRNA vaccines.