Archaeal lipid vaccine adjuvants for induction of cell-mediated immunity

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Liposomal vesicles (archaeosomes) composed of total polar lipids (TPL) or semi-synthetic glycerolipids, unique to the domain Archaea, constitute potent vaccine adjuvant and delivery systems. The characteristics of this adjuvant offer a novel prospect for the development of effective vaccines for emerging infections and cancers, which is reviewed in this article.

Areas covered: The areas covered in this review include the chemical composition and physical characteristics, various in-vitro and in-vivo pre-clinical immunogenicity and efficacy studies for systemic immunization, induction of mucosal immunity upon modification of the formulation with cations, and the mechanism of adjuvant action following uptake by antigen presenting cells.

Expert commentary: The unique features of archaeal lipids confer archaeosomes with many desirable features. With the use of semi-synthetic archaeosomes, highly defined lipids that are safe and robust for induction of cell-mediated immunity may be chosen. These adjuvants function as Toll-like receptor-independent innate immune stimulants.

KEYWORDS:

• Adjuvants
• archaeosomes
• antigen
• cell-mediated immunity
• carrier vesicles
• vaccine formulation

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.