title: Lipopeptides as immunoadjuvants and immunostimulants in mucosal immunization.
abstract: In previous studies we have shown that lipopeptides constitute potent immunoadjuvants in mice, rabbits and other species: in parenteral immunization, lipopeptide adjuvants were comparable, or in some cases superior to Freund's adjuvant, and were devoid of the side effects of this additive. Here we demonstrate that lipopeptides also constitute adjuvants for mucosal immunizations. The serum antibody responses against the wheat storage protein gliadin, the bee venom constituent melittin, or the hen egg protein ovalbumin could in most cases be enhanced more than 100-fold by the lipopeptide P3CSK4, applied via the nasal route. An enhanced specific antibody level could also be detected in supernatants of cell cultures prepared from spleens, Peyer's patches, lungs and mesenteric lymph nodes of immunized mice. Moreover, the lipopeptide P3CSK4 enhanced chemiluminescence in mouse spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages in vitro, indicating a macrophage-activating effect. Finally, nasal application of lipopeptide increased protection against a lethal infection of influenza. Our findings are of importance for the improvement of immunizations and might lead to more effective vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Molekulare Medizin und Zellforschung, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Masihi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Bessler
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005260:Female; D005903:Gliadin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008555:Melitten / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009297:Nasal Mucosa; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001514:Bee Venoms; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010455:Peptides; C061108:N-palmitoyl-S-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)propyl)cysteinyl-seryl-lysyl-lysyl-lysyl-lysine; D008555:Melitten; D010047:Ovalbumin; D005903:Gliadin