title: On the preparation, microscopic investigation and application of ISCOMs.
abstract: ISCOM matrices constitute colloidal structures formed from Quillaja saponins, cholesterol and phospholipid. Addition of protein antigens to these matrices leads to the formation of ISCOMs. In this review we report on microscopic investigations of ISCOM matrices and ISCOMs as well as related colloidal structures, such as helices, worm-like micelles, ring-like micelles, and lamellae structures. We briefly outline the immunologic basis for the use of ISCOMs as vaccine delivery systems, and describe the various methods to form ISCOMs. Negative staining transmission electron micrographs of all colloidal structures are presented and described. On the basis of our microscopic investigations, different formation mechanisms of ISCOMS are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myschik
authors.forename: Dirk G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lendemans
authors.forename: Warren T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: McBurney
authors.forename: Patrick H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Demana
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hook
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rades
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002784:Cholesterol; D003102:Colloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D016882:ISCOMs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010743:Phospholipids; D062605:Quillaja Saponins; D012503:Saponins; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens; D003102:Colloids; D016882:ISCOMs; D010743:Phospholipids; D062605:Quillaja Saponins; D012503:Saponins; C046386:Quil A; D002784:Cholesterol