Liposomes with incorporated MHC class II/peptide complexes as antigen presenting vesicles for specific T cell activation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to design a well-characterized liposomal carrier system for multivalent antigen presentation in order to activate T cells.


METHODS
MHC class II molecules were loaded with peptide and subsequently reconstituted into liposomes. A FACS assay was developed to monitor peptide loading and MHC class II incorporation in the liposomes. For in vitro testing of the resulting MHC class II/peptide liposomes, a T cell hybridoma assay was employed.


RESULTS
The FACS assay provided a qualitative means to visualize the amount of incorporated MHC class II and peptide molecules that were oriented in the appropriate way for antigen presentation to the T cells. Interestingly, when MHC class II molecules were loaded with the appropriate peptide prior to liposome incorporation, such liposomes were fully capable of inducing IL-2 production of a T cell hybridoma.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first article showing that MHC class II/peptide liposomes can serve as 'artificial antigen presenting cells' for activation of a CD4+ T cell hybridoma. As compared to soluble MHC class II/peptide complexes, the multivalency of liposomal complexes may be an important advantage when studying possible applications in immunotherapy.
van Rensen
A J
AJ
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), The Netherlands. a.rensen@pharm.uu.nl
Wauben
M H
MH
Grosfeld-Stulemeyer
M C
MC
van Eden
W
W
Crommelin
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008081:Liposomes; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008081:Liposomes; D010455:Peptides