Sulfated archaeol glycolipids: Comparison with other immunological adjuvants in mice

PLoS One. 2018 Dec 4;13(12):e0208067. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208067. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Archaeosomes are liposomes traditionally comprised of total polar lipids (TPL) or semi-synthetic glycerolipids of ether-linked isoprenoid phytanyl cores with varied glyco- and amino-head groups. As adjuvants, they induce robust, long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and enhance protection in murine models of infectious disease and cancer. Traditional total polar lipid (TPL) archaeosome formulations are relatively complex and first generation semi-synthetic archaeosomes involve many synthetic steps to arrive at the final desired glycolipid composition. We have developed a novel archaeosome formulation comprising a sulfated disaccharide group covalently linked to the free sn-1 hydroxyl backbone of an archaeal core lipid (sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol, SLA) that can be more readily synthesized yet retains strong immunostimulatory activity for induction of cell-mediated immunity following systemic immunization. Herein, we have evaluated the immunostimulatory effects of SLA archaeosomes when used as adjuvant with ovalbumin (OVA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and compared this to various other adjuvants including TLR3/4/9 agonists, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions and aluminum hydroxide. Overall, we found that semi-synthetic sulfated glycolipid archaeosomes induce strong Ag-specific IgG titers and CD8 T cells to both antigens. In addition, they induce the expression of a number of cytokines/chemokines including IL-6, G-CSF, KC & MIP-2. SLA archaeosome formulations demonstrated strong adjuvant activity, superior to many of the other tested adjuvants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glyceryl Ethers / administration & dosage
  • Glyceryl Ethers / chemistry
  • Glyceryl Ethers / immunology*
  • Glycolipids / administration & dosage
  • Glycolipids / chemistry
  • Glycolipids / immunology*
  • Halobacterium salinarum / chemistry*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects*
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Liposomes / administration & dosage
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Liposomes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Ovalbumin
  • Serologic Tests
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines / chemistry
  • Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cytokines
  • Glyceryl Ethers
  • Glycolipids
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Liposomes
  • Vaccines
  • archaeol lipid
  • sulfoglycolipids
  • Ovalbumin

Grants and funding

Research was funded internally by the National Research Council Canada.