TITLE:
α2-macroglobulin co-administered in vivo promotes antigen delivery and presentation
AUTHORS:
Edith V. Bowers, Jennifer E. Bond, George J. Cianciolo, Salvatore V. Pizzo
KEYWORDS:
α2-Macroglobulin-Antigen Complexes; Antigen Presentation/Processing; Vaccination; Cytokines; Spleen
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Immunology,
Vol.2 No.2,
June
22,
2012
ABSTRACT: Administered in vivo, covalent receptor-recognized α2-macroglobulin (α2M*)-antigen complexes enhance humoral and cell-mediated immunity. We hypothesized that in vivo α2M*-encapsulation could be promoted in the setting of vaccines that co-deliver α2M* with unbound antigen, thereby eliminating the need to prepare complexes in vitro. Mice immunized intradermally with co-delivered α2M* and OVA demonstrated antigen-specific immune responses, including anti-tumor responses, similar to those elicited by conjugated α2M*-OVA complexes. Enhanced immunity appears to result from in vivo α2M*-encapsulation of antigen. This finding represents a significant advancement in the development of α2M* as an antigen delivery vehicle capable of enhancing the presentation of subunit vaccines.