Cationic lipid potentiated the adjuvanticity of polysaccharide derivative-modified liposome vaccines.

Antigen carriers that can selectively deliver antigens to antigen presenting cells and which can simultaneously activate these cells (adjuvant property) are necessary for efficient cancer immunotherapy or vaccination. Delivery of a model antigen into dendritic cell cytosol has been achieved by pH-responsive polymer-modified liposomes via destabilization of endosomal membranes responding to acidic pH, which impelled antigen-specific cellular immunity. Furthermore, β-glucan-based pH-responsive polysaccharides have shown not only cytosolic antigen delivery performance but also adjuvant property, which further heightened cellular immune responses.

Development of pH-sensitive Dextran Derivatives with Strong Adjuvant Function and Their Application to Antigen Delivery.

To achieve efficient cancer immunotherapy, the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-based cellular immunity is necessary. In order to induce cellular immunity, antigen carriers that can deliver antigen into cytosol of antigen presenting cells and can activate these cells are required. We previously developed 3-methyl glutarylated dextran (MGlu-Dex) for cytoplasmic delivery of antigen via membrane disruption ability at weakly acidic pH in endosome/lysosomes.