title: Cationic Immune Stimulating Complexes Containing Soluble Leishmania Antigens: Preparation, Characterization and in Vivo Immune Response Evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cationic immune stimulating complexes (PLUSCOMs) are particulate antigen delivery systems. PLUSCOMs consist of cationic immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) derivatives and are able to elicit in vivo T cell responses against an antigen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of PLUSCOMs containing Leishmania major antigens (SLA) on the type of immune response generated in the murine model of leishmaniasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  PLUSCOMs consisting of 1, 2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) were used as antigen delivery system/immunoadjuvants for soluble SLA. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously, three times in 2-week intervals. Footpads swellings at the site of challenge and parasite loads were assessed as a measure of protection. The immune responses were also evaluated by determination of IgG subclasses and the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 in cultured splenocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the sizes of lesions in mice immunized with different formulations. Also, there was no significant difference in the number of parasites in the footpad or spleen of all groups compared with the control group. The highest level of IFN-γ secretion was observed in the splenocytes of mice immunized with PLUSCOM/SLA (p<0.001) and lower amounts of IL-4 was observed in PLUSCOM group (p<0.001) as compared to negative control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicated that SLA in different formulations generated an immune response with mixed Th1/Th2 response that was not protective enough despite the activation of CD4+ T cells with secreting IFN-γ in groups which received PLUSCOM with antigen.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, e-mail: ahmadmehravaran55@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehravaran
authors.forename: Mahmoud Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jaafari
authors.forename: Seyed Amir
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jalali
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khamesipour
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tafaghodi
authors.forename: Mansure
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hojatizade
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Badiee
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D059208:Parasite Load; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C070046:1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-(trimethylammonium)propane