Investigation of lectinized liposomes as M-cell targeted carrier-adjuvant for mucosal immunization

In the present investigation hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) encapsulated liposomes were developed and coupled with Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA 1) to increase transmucosal uptake by M cells of the Peyer s patches The liposomes were characterized for shape size polydispersity and encapsulation efficiency Bovine submaxillary mum (BSM) was used as a biological model for the in vitro determination of lectin activity and specificity Dual staining technique was used to investigate targeting of lectinized twosomes to the M cells Anti HBsAg IgG response in serum and anti I HBsAg sIgA level in various mucosal fluids was estimated by using ELISA following oral immunization with lectinized and non lectinized twosomes in Balb/c mice Additionally interleukin 2 (IL 2) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) level in the spleen homogenates was determined The results suggest that lectinized liposomes were successfully developed exhibited increased activity with BSM as compared to non lectinized twosomes and is L-fucose specificity of the lectinized liposomes was also maintained The lectinized liposomes were predominantly targeted to the M cells The serum anti HBsAg IgG titre obtained after 3 consecutive days oral immunizations with HBsAg encapsulated lectinized twosomes and boosting after third week was comparable with the titre recorded after single intramuscular prime and third week boosting with alum HBsAg Moreover lectinized liposomes induced higher sIgA level in mucosal secretions and cytokines level in the spleen homogenates The results showed that the developed surface modified liposomes could be a potential module for the development of effective mucosal vaccines (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved