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has been cited by the following article:

• 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.