The Use of Liposomes as Snake Venom Vehicles. Application in Protective Immunization

Abstract

Liposomes (phospholipid-based vesicles) have been widely studied as drug delivery systems due to their structural versatility concerning size, composition, bilayer fluidity and their ability to incorporate almost any molecule regardless of its nature. Liposomes are successful for inducing potent immunity in vivo and they are now being employed in numerous irnmunization procedures and as vehicles for vaccines. This is a brief overview of the use of liposomes as carriers of venom antigens and immunomodulators, a safe and potent alternative for the production of antivenom and for the active immunization of dommestic animals in areas of high incidence of envenomation and mortality. Other potential applications of venom-containing liposomes are also presented.