α₂-macroglobulin co-administered in vivo promotes antigen delivery and presentation

Edith V. Bowers, Jennifer E. Bond, George J. Cianciolo, Salvatore V. Pizzo

Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/oji.2012.22009                

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.

Keywords

α₂-Macroglobulin-Antigen Complexes; Antigen Presentation/Processing; Vaccination; Cytokines; Spleen

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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