LIPOSOMES AS AN IMMUNOADJUVANT SYSTEM FOR STIMULATION OF MUCOSAL AND SYSTEMIC ANTIBODY-RESPONSES AGAINST INACTIVATED MEASLES-VIRUS ADMINISTERED INTRANASALLY TO MICE

This paper reports on the immune-stimulatory activity of liposomes in an inactivated whole measles virus vaccine preparation administered intranasally to mice. Liposomes, simply mixed with inactivated whole measles virus, significantly stimulated the serum IgG response relative to the response to the virus alone. In addition, the liposomal vaccine, but not the free virus induced a secretory IgA (s-IgA) response in the lungs and nasal cavity. Serum IgG and s-IgA responses persisted up to at least 24 weeks post-immunization. The liposomes induced a moderate increase in the serum IgG response, but no s-IgA response, following intramuscular immunization. It is concluded that liposomes provide a promising adjuvant system for induction of high systemic as well as mucosal antibody responses against inactivated measles virus in an intranasal Or inhalation vaccine formulation.