Figures & data
Figure 1. Structure of theranostic liposomes (schematic). Combination of antigens and hydrophobic QDs with DDA/TDB liposomal encapsulation.
Figure 2. TEM of various liposomal formulations: (a) DSPC/Chol liposome, (b) DOTAP/DC-Chol liposome, and (c) DDA/TDB liposome influenza vaccines.
Table 1. Physicochemical characteristics of various liposomal formulations.
Figure 3. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images using BMDCs cells after 2 h incubation with the PBS as the control group (a), DSPC/Chol liposome (b), DOTAP/DC-Chol liposome (c), and DDA-TDB liposome (d). Column (I): DAPI channels showing the blue fluorescence from DAPI stained nuclei, (II) quantum dots showing the red fluorescence from liposomes distributed in cytoplasm, and (III): merged channels of quantum dots and DAPI. Scale bars equal 40 μm.
Figure 4. BMDCs were cultured with various QDs-labelled liposome formulations for 2 h. The uptake of QDs-labelled liposome was measured using flowcytometry. (A) Percentages of intracellular uptake of test formulations. (B) Flow cytometry pictures are representatives of the control group (a), DSPC/Chol liposome (b), DOTAP/DC-Chol liposome (c), and DDA-TDB liposome (d). (n = 3) *p < .05, **p < .01.
Figure 5. BMDCs were cultured with medium (control), antigen, or different liposome formulations for 48 h. The expression of CD80, CD86, and MHCII was measured using flow cytometry (a–c). *Significant difference (p < .05) between cells receiving various liposome vaccines and those H3N2 alone; #significant difference (p < .05) between cells receiving DDA-TBD liposomes and those receiving DSPC-Chol liposomes or DOTAP-DC-Chol liposomes (n = 3).
Figure 6. Effect of liposomes on the H3N2-specific antibody response. C57BL/6 mice were given various liposome formulations. One week after the final administration, the anti-H3N2 IgG and anti-H3N2 IgA level in nasal washes were detected by ELISA assay. The antibody titre was defined as the reciprocal of the highest dilution that had an OD value that was two times higher than the mean OD of control mice. *Significant difference (p < .05) between mice receiving various liposome vaccines and those H3N2 alone; #significant difference (p < .05) between mice receiving DDA-TBD liposomes and those receiving DSPC-Chol liposomes or DOTAP-DC-Chol liposomes. Mean ± SD (n = 6).
Figure 7. Specific anti-H3N2 serum antibody levels serum collected from mice immunized with liposome influenza vaccine. Samples were collected at weeks 4. *Significant difference (p < .05) between mice receiving various liposome vaccines and those H3N2 alone; #significant difference (p < .05) between mice receiving DDA-TBD liposomes and those receiving DSPC-Chol liposomes or DOTAP-DC-Chol liposomes. Mean ± SD (n = 6).
