Comparative evaluation of hepatitis B surface antigen–loaded elastic liposomes and ethosomes for human dendritic cell uptake and immune response

• Published in: Nanomedicine 2010-02, Vol.6 (1), p.110-118
• Main Authors: Mishra, Dinesh, PhD, Mishra, Pradyumna Kumar, PhD, Dabadghao, Sunil, DM, Dubey, Vaibhav, MPharm, Nahar, Manoj, MPharm, Jain, Narendra K., PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Bromodeoxyuridine - metabolism; Cattle; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Cell Proliferation; Cytokines - metabolism; Dendritic cells; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Elastic liposomes; Elasticity; Ethosomes; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate - metabolism; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - immunology; Hepatitis B vaccine; Humans; Indoles - metabolism; Internal Medicine; Kinetics; Liposomes - chemistry; Mice; Necrosis; NIH 3T3 Cells; Rhodamines - metabolism; Serum Albumin, Bovine - metabolism; Th1 Cells - cytology; Th1 Cells - metabolism; Th2 Cells - cytology; Th2 Cells - metabolism; Time Factors; Transcutaneous immunization
• ISSN: 1549-9634; 1549-9642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2009.04.003

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate two vesicular carrier systems, ethosomes and elastic liposomes loaded with hepatitis B surface antigen, for in vitro qualitative and quantitative uptake by human dendritic cells (DCs) and ability to stimulate T lymphocytes. Quantitative uptake of antigen-loaded carriers was documented by flow cytometry, and internalization of the systems by the DCs was studied using spectral bioimaging. Ability of antigen-pulsed DCs to stimulate autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes and levels of TH1/TH2 cytokines were also examined using flow cytometry. Both vesicular carrier systems as antigen delivery modules and DCs as antigen-presenting cells were able to generate a protective immune response. However, ethosomes were found to have higher internalizing ability and immunogenicity in comparison with elastic liposomes. These properties of ethosomes coupled with their skin-navigating potential, make it an attractive vehicle for development of a transcutaneous vaccine against hepatitis B in preference to elastic liposomes. From the Clinical Editor Two carrier systems for more potent vaccine administration - ethosomes and elastic liposomes loaded with hepatitis B surface antigen – are compared. Ethosomes demonstrated higher internalizing ability and immunogenicity. Due to their known skin-navigating potential, ethosomes may represent an attractive vehicle for development of a transcutaneous vaccine against hepatitis B.