Incorporation of a synthetic mycobacterial monomycoloyl glycerol analogue stabilizes dimethyldioctadecylammonium liposomes and potentiates their adjuvant effect in vivo

Pernille Juul Nordly, Karen Smith Korsholm, Esra Alici Pedersen, Tayba Sajid Khilji, Henrik Franzyk, Lene Jørgensen, Hanne Mørck Nielsen, Else Marie Agger, Camilla Foged

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The combination of delivery systems such as cationic liposomes and immunopotentiating molecules is a promising approach for the rational design of vaccine adjuvants. In this study, a synthetic analogue of the mycobacterial lipid monomycoloyl glycerol (MMG), referred to as MMG-1, was synthesized and combined with the cationic surfactant dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA). The purpose of the study was to provide a thorough pharmaceutical characterization of the resulting DDA/MMG-1 binary system and to evaluate how incorporation of MMG-1 affected the adjuvant activity of DDA liposomes. Thermal analyses demonstrated that MMG-1 was incorporated into the DDA lipid bilayers, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that liposomes were formed. The particles had a polydisperse size distribution and an average diameter of approximately 400 nm. Evaluation of the colloidal stability indicated that at least 18 mol% MMG-1 was required to stabilize the DDA liposomes as the average particle size remained constant during storage for 6 months. The improved colloidal stability is most likely caused by increased hydration of the lipid bilayer. This was demonstrated by studying Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers of DDA and MMG-1 which revealed an increased surface pressure in the presence of high concentrations of MMG-1 when the DDA/MMG-1 monolayers were fully compressed, indicating an increased interaction with water due to enhanced hydration of the lipid head groups. Finally, immunization of mice with the tuberculosis fusion antigen Ag85B-ESAT-6 and DDA/MMG-1 liposomes induced a strong cell-mediated immune response characterized by a mixed Th1/Th17 profile and secretion of IgG1 and IgG2c antibodies. The Th1/Th17-biased immunostimulatory effect was increased in an MMG-1 concentration-dependent manner with maximal observed effect at 31 mol% MMG-1. Thus, incorporation of 31 mol% MMG-1 into DDA liposomes results in an adjuvant system with favorable physical as well as immunological properties.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
    Volume77
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)89-98
    ISSN0939-6411
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2011

    Keywords

    • Former Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

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