Cationic supported lipid bilayers for antigen presentation

Polystyrene sulfate (PSS) particles (301 nm mean diameter) were covered with single cationic dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDA) bilayers and used for antigen adsorption and presentation. The antigen was a mixture of purified 18/14 Taenia crassiceps proteins (18/14-Tcra). Firstly, the DDA/PSS assembly was characterized at 1 mM NaCl and 5 × 109 PSS particles/mL over a range of DDA concentrations (0.001–1 mM) by means of dynamic light scattering for particle sizing and zeta-potential analysis. 0.01 mM DDA is enough to produce homodisperse and cationic bilayer-covered particles. Secondly, under these experimental conditions, 18/14-Tcra adsorption isotherms onto biomimetic particles or aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3) yield limiting adsorption of 0.36 and 1.32 mg protein/mg biomimetic particles or Al(OH)3, respectively. Finally, in mice, superior humoral and cellular immunoresponse from serum IgG and footpad swelling was obtained for antigen/biomimetic particles in comparison to conventional Al(OH)3. Cationic bilayer-covered particles are a novel, highly organized and, possibly, general immunoadjuvant for antigen presentation and subunit vaccine design.