Evaluation of uptake and generation of immune response by murine dendritic cells pulsed with hepatitis B surface antigen-loaded elastic liposomes

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-loaded elastic liposomes were studied for qualitative and quantitative uptake in vitro by murine dendritic cells (DCs) generated from bone marrow mononuclear cells. Internalization of the vesicles by the DCs was documented using fluorescence microscopy. Kinetics of uptake of antigen-loaded elastic vesicles by the DCs studied through flow cytometry showed a peak uptake at 6 h. The ability of the antigen pulsed DCs to stimulate autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes was demonstrated by BrdU assay. Further evaluation by multiplex cytometric bead array analysis demonstrated a predominantly TH1 type of immune response. Our results suggest that HBsAg-loaded elastic vesicles as antigen delivery module and DCs as antigen presenting cells are able to generate a protective immune response. The property of elastic liposomes to traverse and target the immunological milieu of the skin makes it an attractive vehicle for development of a transcutaneous vaccine against hepatitis B virus.