BORDETELLA-PERTUSSIS FILAMENTOUS HEMAGGLUTININ ENHANCES THE IMMUNOGENICITY OF LIPOSOME-DELIVERED ANTIGEN ADMINISTERED INTRANASALLY

In an attempt to increase the immunogenicity of mucosally delivered an tigens, we incorporated the Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglut inin (FHA) adhesin into liposomes containing the glutathione S-transfe rase of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm28GST) as a model antigen, Outbred mice immunized twice intranasally with liposomes containing a constant sub optimal dose of Sm28GST and increasing doses of FHA produced anti Sm28 GST antibodies in a FHA dose-dependent manner. The addition of 3 mu g of FHA to the liposomes induced more than 10-fold-higher anti-Sm28GST antibody titers, compared to those induced by liposomes without FHA. T he presence of FHA did not alter the nature of the humoral immune resp onse, and the sera contained anti-Sm28GST immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), Ig G2a, and IgG2b. However, anti-Sm28GST IgA was only detected when at le ast 3 mu g of FHA was added to the preparation. These results show a p romising potential for FHA to enhance the immunogenicity of mucosally administered antigens incorporated into liposomes.