OLIGOMANNOSE-COATED LIPOSOMES AS AN ADJUVANT FOR THE INDUCTION OF CELL-MEDIATED-IMMUNITY

The effect of the coating of ovalbumin-reconstituted liposomes with va rious oligosaccharides on their immunogenicity was investigated in mic e. The coating of liposomes with oligomannose or yeast mannan drastica lly enhanced their ability to induce an ovalbumin-specific delayed-typ e footpad swelling response with a peak at 24 to 48 h post-challenge. Among various oligosaccharides tested, only those with mannose residue at the nonreducing termini manifested the activity when applied to li posomes. Since such oligosaccharides are ubiquitously found in the bod y, these results suggested the usefulness of oligomannose-coated lipos omes as a safe adjuvant for the induction of cell-mediated immunity.